UK allows US to use its bases for Hormuz strikes; Iran warns of consequences
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi cautioned his British counterpart that any assistance to “aggression” would risk further escalation, according to reports.
The United Kingdom has announced a ban on social media access for children below the age of 16, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer saying the move was taken after consultations with thousands of parents who raised concerns over the impact of social media on children’s lives and mental health.
In a video message posted on X, Starmer said the decision was taken after examining the concerns of families and the growing impact of excessive social media use among children.
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Explaining the move, Starmer said, “These days, kids have to find their feet in a world that changes so quickly, where technology intrudes into every area of their lives. And we know that harms them. The response from parents in the consultation has been absolutely clear. Thousands of parents say their children are addicted to social media. It can leave them trapped in a cycle of endless scrolling that displaces play, sleep, and time with the family. It can harm their mental health. Parents need our support on this. That is why today the government has decided to ban social media access for children under 16.”
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He called the decision a major step for the country and said the government had carefully reviewed evidence before introducing the measure.
Starmer warns social media giants may resist
The UK Prime Minister said the government expected opposition from major technology companies but remained firm on the need for action.
“This decision has been resisted and it will face resistance from some of the most powerful companies in the world. But we will take them on and we will win because the need for action could not be any clearer. Social media is making our children unhappy and unsafe,” Starmer said.
He added, “Our children deserve better. They deserve a happy, safe childhood in a stronger, fairer Britain.”
UK joins global push on minors’ social media use
The move places the UK among countries considering stricter controls on children’s access to social media platforms.
Japan recently proposed stronger responsibilities for social media operators, including stricter age verification and restrictions on certain features to protect underage users.
France is working towards fast-tracking legal measures for a ban on social media use for children under 15, while Australia has already implemented a ban on social media access for children under 16. Spain and Denmark are also considering similar steps.
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