{"slug": "uk-announces-social-media-ban-for-under-16s", "title": "UK announces social media ban for under-16s", "summary": "UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a ban on social media for under-16s, along with restrictions on livestreaming and stranger communication tools, citing child safety. The government also plans to ban AI romantic companion chatbots for under-18s and consider curfews and scrolling breaks for minors.", "body_md": "LONDON - Keir Starmer said Monday the UK will ban social media for under-16s.\n\nLivestreaming and tools which allow users to communicate with strangers will also be blocked for under-16s, and restricted by default for 17 year-olds, the U.K. prime minister said.\n\nStarmer told a Downing Street press conference \"a full ban is the right choice,\" adding he is not \"prepared to compromise on the safety and happiness of our children.\"\n\n[In an accompanying statement](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/social-media-to-be-banned-for-under-16s-in-landmark-government-move-to-givekids-their-childhood-back), the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology said AI \"romantic companion\" chatbots that simulate sexual or romantic relationships will also be banned for use by under-18s.\n\nThe U.K. government will look \"in more detail\" at overnight curfews and breaks in infinite scrolling for under-18s, and will set out its plans in July, DSIT added.", "url": "https://wpnews.pro/news/uk-announces-social-media-ban-for-under-16s", "canonical_source": "https://www.politico.eu/article/uk-announces-social-media-ban-for-under-16s/?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication", "published_at": "2026-06-15 07:50:27+00:00", "updated_at": "2026-06-15 08:14:05.260886+00:00", "lang": "en", "topics": ["ai-safety", "ai-policy"], "entities": ["Keir Starmer", "UK", "Department for Science, Innovation and Technology"], "alternates": {"html": "https://wpnews.pro/news/uk-announces-social-media-ban-for-under-16s", "markdown": "https://wpnews.pro/news/uk-announces-social-media-ban-for-under-16s.md", "text": "https://wpnews.pro/news/uk-announces-social-media-ban-for-under-16s.txt", "jsonld": "https://wpnews.pro/news/uk-announces-social-media-ban-for-under-16s.jsonld"}}