The under-16s social media ban that UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is preparing to announce could arrive within days, following a noticeable hardening of his position after parents responded overwhelmingly to a government consultation.

What Parents Said

The shift appears driven in large part by public sentiment. Technology Secretary Liz Kendall told Sky News on Tuesday morning that nine in ten parents who responded to the consultation said they wanted to see such a ban.

Kendall outlined two broad approaches the government is weighing:

• A “blanket” ban on under-16s using social media altogether
• Age restrictions targeting key features of social networks and apps rather than the platforms as a whole

She made clear that the stricter option remains a live possibility, stating plainly that a ban is on the table.

Timing and Political Backdrop

The policy is expected to be announced within the next week as part of a series of moves by Starmer. The timing is notable, given that his premiership faces pressure from a likely leadership challenge this summer from Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham.

The social media announcement won’t come alone. Also anticipated in the coming days is the government’s long-awaited defense investment plan, which includes increased spending and which ministers have pledged to deliver before a NATO summit in early July.

How a Ban Might Work

On the practical side, Kendall said ministers are examining how to repurpose age verification tools introduced in Britain last year. Those tools, originally designed to restrict access to pornography sites to adults, could potentially be used to keep children off social media.

Such verification typically requires users to confirm their age in one of a few ways, including providing banking or credit card details or undergoing an age check through their mobile network operator. Kendall also pushed back on newspaper reports suggesting she might soften the policy by exempting certain social media sites, rejecting that characterization.

Pressure on Tech Companies

The announcement builds on a warning Starmer issued earlier. In a speech on Monday, he gave tech firms three months to introduce “device controls” that would prevent children from sending and receiving sexually explicit images.

Kendall reinforced that ultimatum, warning that if companies like Apple and Google fail to comply, the government would legislate to force them to do so.

Taken together, the moves signal a government increasingly willing to confront major technology platforms over child safety, with formal details on the under-16s ban expected to land in the days ahead.