London: The British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced a sweeping ban on children under the age of 16 using mainstream social media platforms. This legislative move aims to be enacted before Christmas and fully operational by the spring of 2027.

According to Thai News Agency, the policy, referred to as "Australia Plus," is stricter than similar laws in Australia. It affects major platforms such as TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, X, YouTube, Threads, and Reddit, with exceptions for personal messaging apps like WhatsApp and Signal. The ban also includes restrictions on children under 16 from accessing romantic AI chatbots and limits their interaction on online gaming platforms by prohibiting live streaming and chatting with strangers.

The initiative further introduces a safety system for 16-17 year olds, with online safety settings defaulted to "On" to mitigate risks after surpassing the age limit. Additionally, the government is contemplating further restrictions, such as banning social media use at night and limiting endlessly scrolling feeds for users under 18.

Social media companies are required to implement robust age verification methods, including AI-powered facial recognition and identity verification via documents and digital IDs. Non-compliance or repeated breaches will result in significant fines and penalties for tech companies.

Prime Minister Starmer defended the policy amidst anticipated criticism, emphasizing children's safety concerns. He highlighted the addictive nature of modern social media, its adverse effects on mental health, potential for online bullying, and the loss of opportunities for a fulfilling life for children. A UK public opinion poll, with over 116,000 participants, revealed that more than 90% of parents support the proposal to set the minimum age at 16 for accessing these platforms.