LONDON – Keir Starmer said Monday the UK will ban social media for under-16s.
Livestreaming 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.
Starmer 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.”
In an accompanying statement, 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.
The 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.