UK under-16 social media ban won't make Big Tech safer

The UK government under Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a ban on social media access for under-16s, expected to begin in early 2027, affecting platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, X, and YouTube. The policy follows Australia's world-first outright ban in December 2025 and similar measures in China, Vietnam, and Indonesia. Critics argue the ban is ineffective and invasive. Australia's compliance update in March showed about 70% of households still have active accounts for children. Amnesty International UK chief executive Kerry Moscogiuri called it 'a case of the right diagnosis but the wrong prescription.' Signal warned the age verification mechanisms could create an 'invisible surveillance infrastructure.' The NSPCC raised concerns that disabled and LGBT+ youth may lose access to supportive online groups. The article highlights MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson), who started his YouTube channel at 13 and recently became the first to reach 500 million followers, as an example of opportunities the ban would stifle.