Starmer urged to press ahead with under-16 social media ban as decision nears
Keir Starmer has been urged to press ahead with a social media ban for under-16s after a group of leading doctors warned ministers not to mistake early attempts by children to bypass restrictions as evidence that such policies do not work.
The intervention comes as the government prepares to decide whether Britain will introduce some of the toughest child online safety measures in the world, with ministers expected to respond within weeks to a consultation that attracted more than 80,000 submissions.
In a letter to the Prime Minister, the doctors argued that tech ompanies rather than children should bear responsibility for enforcing age limits and said governments should resist pressure to dilute planned reforms.
“Our message is straightforward: do not misunderstand commercially motivated heel-dragging as a policy failure,” they wrote.
“Legislate with force and hold these companies to account, and you will improve the lives of millions of children.”
The letter lands as ministers weigh three potential options: an outright ban on social media access for under-16s, restrictions on features such as autoplay, algorithms and infinite scrolling, or a combination of both backed by stricter age-verification requirements.
The Prime Minister has already signalled that major changes are coming. Speaking after meeting campaigners and parents who say their children suffered harm linked to social media use, Starmer said technology firms would not be given “a free pass”.
“The message to the tech companies was very simple,” he said. “Things are going to change.”?
The debate has gathered momentum across Westminster in recent weeks, with former health secretary Wes Streeting backing a ban for under-16s, arguing that politicians and regulators have been “asleep at the wheel” while social media companies developed increasingly addictive products aimed at young users.
London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan has also supported tougher restrictions, arguing that platforms should have to prove their services are safe for children before they are allowed access to younger users.
Ministers split over ban or feature restrictions
While an outright ban has attracted the most attention, ministers are also considering a more targeted approach focused on specific features that critics say drive excessive use among children.
The consultation examined whether under-16s should be blocked from tools including infinite scroll, algorithmic recommendations, livestreaming, autoplay videos and “streaks” that reward daily engagement.
Police leaders have previously argued that governments should focus on these high-risk functionalities rather than individual apps, while tech industry groups have warned against broad restrictions that could limit access to educational content.
A report from the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Digital Creators this week argued that policymakers should distinguish between social networking platforms and creator-led video services.
Labour MP Feryal Clark, co-chair of the group, said: “High-quality, creator-led video content is a valuable resource; it isn’t social media. That difference is crucial.”
Campaigners pushing for a ban argue the government should go further.
More than 113,000 people have signed a national petition calling for social media access to be restricted until the age of 16, while Smartphone Free Childhood says more than 250,000 parents contacted MPs earlier this year demanding stronger online protections.
The movement has rapidly expanded into one of Britain’s largest parent-led campaigns, claiming support from more than 500,000 families.
Its co-founder Daisy Greenwell said responsibility should sit with the companies designing and profiting from the platforms.
“Until they can show their products are safe for children, they shouldn’t have access to them,” she said.
The government consultation closed last month and ministers are expected to publish their conclusions later this summer.