Starmer to announce 'Australia plus' ban on social media for under-16s

Keir Starmer plans a sweeping restriction dubbed Australia plus, banning under-16s from social media apps such as TikTok, Instagram, and X. The policy would also remove features that enable strangers to chat with teens and would apply similar limits to older teens up to 18. In consultations, nine in ten parents backed a minimum age of 16, and 88% said fewer children would be exposed to inappropriate content.

Culture secretary Lisa Nandy said restrictions are not a silver bullet but would improve protections. The government notes Australia already enforces a ban, and UK lawmakers may legislate to apply similar measures, aligning with broad parental support and youth safety concerns.