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Britain has announced a sweeping plan to ban children under 16 from major social media platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Snapchat and X. Prime Minister Keir Starmer called it a “line in the sand”, saying tech companies will be responsible for enforcement. The law is expected before Christmas.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer declares a 'line in the sand' as Britain moves to bar children from TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and more, with legislation due before Christmas. Britain has announced one of the most sweeping bans on children's social media access anywhere in the world, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer declaring that the government will bar under-16s from a wide range of platforms. Starmer also said that it will hold tech companies, not parents or children, responsible for enforcing it.

"We're going further than any country in the world by banning social media for under-16s and putting wider protections in place to give kids their childhood back," Starmer said at a Downing Street press conference on June 15. He also posted the announcement on X, using the platform itself to signal a crackdown that would affect it directly.

"This is a line in the sand. Tech giants had their chance and failed, but we're stepping in to protect children, back parents and set a new normal for future generations," the Prime Minister added.

What is banned?