Starmer set to announce 'game-changer' social media restrictions for under-16's

The Prime Minister is expected to unveil new curbs on children’s social media use within days, ITV News Correspondent Rachel Younger reports

Sir Keir Starmer’s demand that tech firms stop children from taking and accessing nude images is not the end of his plans for them.

I’ve been told that he intends to announce restrictions on social media for under-16s ahead of the Makerfield by-election next week.

Whether this goes as far as an “Australian-style ban” remains to be seen.

It’s thought that the PM may favour something a bit more nuanced than a straight-up ban, perhaps with different features limited to certain ages.

Some social media platforms considered “less harmful” may still be allowed for children.

One thing that is clear is that Starmer’s views on this have hardened over time.

Those who have heard him talk about the issue say he often references his own children’s positive experiences of social media.

But it’s also the case that the public, parliament and the Labour Party all favour tougher restrictions and that Starmer may soon be looking for the support of his own MPs in particular.

The official line from Downing Street is that the government is “still considering” the responses to the consultation on banning social media for the under-16s.

But a No 10 source adds that Monday’s announcement shows “the Prime Minister is forcing the tech companies to get on with it, he has stood up to Musk [over the Grok AI tool] and we have legislated to act quickly once a decision has been taken”.

They add that whatever the PM announces in the next week or so, “he wants a game changer”.