Under-16s to be banned from social media by next spring, Starmer says – USA News 16 June 2026

Watch live as Technology Secretary Liz Kendall delivers a statement to the Commons on the ban.

Date: June 16, 2026 | Source: BBC News | Category: USA News
Overview
Watch live as Technology Secretary Liz Kendall delivers a statement to the Commons on the ban.
Key Details
Rachel FlynnLive reporter
Under-16s in the UK will be banned from using social media by spring next year, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced earlier today.
It follows a government consultation, in which 89% of 9,499 parents and carers said they strongly supported a legal minimum age for social media access, 88% of which strongly agreed that age should be under-16s.
Apps such as Snapchat, TikTok, Youtube, Instagram, Facebook and X will be included in the ban, the government says, but it will not include messaging services WhatsApp and Signal.
A lot of the detail about this ban "isn't particularly clear", BBC technology correspondent Chris Vallance says, with no definitive list of what's banned, and what's not.
Aliyyah, a 14-year-old from Barnsley, calls the ban "a waste of time" and says "sometimes apps are safe spaces for people". While Sean, a 13-year-old from Wythenshawe, says "it's time they did something about" social media use, calling it a "bad place".
Technology minister Liz Kendall described the ban as a "defining moment for our children", and said more details will be set out in the regulations.
Why This Matters for Exam Students
This USA news is important for students preparing for competitive exams including UPSC, SSC CGL, SSC CHSL, Railway RRB NTPC, IBPS PO, SBI PO and all state PSC examinations. Current affairs and general awareness are key sections in all these exams.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- When was this news published?
- June 16, 2026
- What is this news about?
- Watch live as Technology Secretary Liz Kendall delivers a statement to the Commons on the ban.
- Which exams cover this topic?
- UPSC, SSC CGL, SSC CHSL, Railway RRB, IBPS, SBI PO, and all State PSC exams.
- Who reported this news?
- BBC News
Conclusion
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Source: BBC News
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