The British prime minister, whose position as Labour leader is under threat after a terrible set of local election results in May, confirmed the move ahead of a crucial by-election in Makerfield this week, which could see rival Andy Burnham return to the Commons to launch a challenge.
Burnham — and former Health Secretary Wes Streeting, another leadership rival — are in favor of a ban.
Starmer had been hesitant to follow Australia — which introduced the world’s first outright ban on social media for under-16s last December — reportedly telling MPs earlier this year he believed social media had educational and social value.
But announcing the policy Monday, he said: “I want this message to be heard loud and clear. I am not prepared to compromise on the safety and happiness of our children, and that is why this ban must happen, and why this ban will happen.”
Polling consistently shows the policy is popular with the British public. A YouGov survey conducted last week, and published shortly after the announcement, found eight in 10 parents support the ban.
In an accompanying statement, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology said AI “romantic companion” chatbots that simulate sexual or romantic relationships will also be banned for use by under-18s.