Prime Minister Keir Starmer due to make an announcement on social media ban

The government has spent the first half of 2026 thinking about whether or not to restrict access to social media for young people.

And now, Prime Minister Keir Starmer is due to make an announcement on what he and his government have decided to do.

A consultation where the government asked adults and young people what they think of social media access for under-16s started in January 2026 and ended in May.

As part of the consultation, different types of restrictions were discussed.

One was a complete ban for under-16s, which is something that's already happened in Australia.

Other ideas were age restrictions on using gaming chat rooms and curfews to stop night time scrolling.

The consultation was called Growing Up in an Online World, and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) says it had 5,112 responses from people aged 10-21.

Of those, more than 6 in ten (62%) said restricting risky features - such as the ability to chat live with strangers or live streaming - would make them feel safer.

However, nearly 3 in 4 (72%) were worried about feeling left out if restrictions came in.

And 84% said they think that children will find ways to get around the restrictions.

On Sunday, the Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, who looks at social media as part of her job, told the BBC the "vast majority" of people who responded during the consultation were in support of a social media ban for under-16s.

"That came through not just from parents and campaigners, it did also come through from many young people themselves, who are feeling that they're being pulled into something quite toxic at a very young age."

She continued with a message to the companies that make and run these platforms: "The tech companies have had more than enough time to get their own house in order, and to be able to create products that keep children safe online.

"If they're not prepared to do it, they lose the right to market their products towards children."