Britain Social Media

Emilio Morenatti - AP
Jun 15, 2026
Jun 15, 2026 Updated Jun 15, 2026

FILE - A 12-year-old boy plays with his personal phone outside school in Barcelona, Spain, Monday, June 17, 2024.
Emilio Morenatti - AP

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The UK is banning children's social media use. Here's what other countries are doing

LONDON (AP) — Britain says it will ban people under 16 from using a range of social media ap…

UK bans under-16s from using social media apps including TikTok and YouTube

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Britain will ban children under 16 from using social media apps like Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube from early next year. The announcement on Monday aims to protect young people from harmful content and excessive screen time. Starmer acknowledges that some teens might bypass the ban but emphasizes the importance of children's safety and happiness. YouTube and Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, warned that a blanket social media restriction could push kids into unregulated online spaces. The ban aligns with global efforts to enhance online safety for children.