Story perspectives

Starmer Proposes Under-16 Social Media Ban, Curfews, AI Limits

6/15/2026

Summary

Story summary

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will announce on Monday draft rules banning under-16s from ten platforms, imposing curfews and AI-chatbot limits.
The May 26 consultation received 116,000 responses, with 90 % of parents supporting a minimum age of 16 for social-media use.
Cabinet announced a £132.5 million “Every Child Can” programme, ordered Apple and Google to add age-verification for nude content in three months, recording NSPCC support and criticism from Molly Russell’s father.

History

Historical Context

The EU’s General Data Protection Regulation, adopted April 2016 and effective 25 May 2018, set a consent age of 16 and child safeguards, leading to national codes such as the UK’s 2019 ICO children’s practice. Building on that, Sir Keir Starmer’s government proposes the £132.5 million “Every Child Can” scheme to force Apple and Google to verify ages and block nude content for under-16s, echoing GDPR’s €20 million-or-4 % fines.

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Story summary

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will announce on Monday draft rules banning under-16s from ten platforms, imposing curfews and AI-chatbot limits.
The May 26 consultation received 116,000 responses, with 90 % of parents supporting a minimum age of 16 for social-media use.
Cabinet announced a £132.5 million “Every Child Can” programme, ordered Apple and Google to add age-verification for nude content in three months, recording NSPCC support and criticism from Molly Russell’s father.

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