SIR Keir Starmer will introduce a social media ban for under-16s “to call time on a failing system”.
He is poised to follow Australia’s lead by raising the minimum age for accessing ten sites — including TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat.
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Britain’s sweeping social media for under-16s is set to be even tougher than Australia’s Credit: Getty
Keir is poised to raise the minimum age for accessing ten websites and apps, including TikTok and Instagram Credit: Getty
But Whitehall insiders said it would go further than beefed-up rules Down Under by restricting romantic or sexual AI chatbots and chatting to strangers on gaming platforms.
Ministers will look to bring in face scans, said to be accurate to within one and a half years, to police the restrictions, it was reported last night.
And curfews could be brought in for 16 and 17-year-olds to stop late-night scrolling disrupting studies.
The PM, who will set out his plans today, said: “How we keep kids safe online is one of the biggest debates of our time.
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“As a dad, I know every parent wants their child to grow up safe. People rightly expect action.
“That’s why we will call time on a system failing our kids.”
The current minimum age for accessing the sites is on average 13 years old.
Most parents backed the move following a public consultation, with 83 per cent saying the risks of social media sites outweighed the benefits.
Curfews will be brought in for 16 and 17-year-olds to stop late-night scrolling disrupting studies Credit: Getty
Nine in ten backed a minimum age of 16 for accessing them.
But 72 per cent of children were worried about feeling left out under the move. It is not clear when the ban will take effect.
Last night, Tory Shadow Education Secretary Laura Trott said: “It’s shameful it’s taken the Prime Minister’s job to be on the line for the Government to finally U-turn.
“Three times Labour voted against a ban.”
