Starmer faces backlash over rushed under-16s social media ban as harmful content persists

The scale of harmful content

New research from the Molly Rose Foundation (MRF) reveals that 47% of UK girls aged 13-17 saw suicide, self-harm or eating disorder content on social media in a single week. Among all teenagers the figure was 34%, only marginally lower than the 37% recorded before new online safety measures took effect in July 2025. The survey of 1,825 children, conducted in April 2026, found that those with low wellbeing (57%) or special educational needs (40%) were at even greater risk.

It is shocking but sadly unsurprising that millions of teens continue to be shown appalling suicide, self-harm and depression content by out-of-control algorithms.

The government's response

Keir Starmer is expected to announce a ban on under-16s accessing high-risk social media platforms when he addresses parliament on Monday 15 June. The prime minister is considering an Australian-style blanket ban, alongside curfews and limits on addictive features such as autoplay, infinite scroll and disappearing messages. A government consultation received 116,211 responses, the second-largest in UK history, with nine in ten parents backing an under-16 ban. Separately, the government unveiled a £132.5m funding package for after-school clubs, aiming to give children alternatives to screen time. Ofsted will now weigh schools' enrichment offerings when judging personal development.

Warnings from campaigners

Ian Russell, whose daughter Molly took her own life in 2017 after being exposed to self-harm content, described Starmer's rush as "political opportunism" and "deplorable". He accused the prime minister of breaking promises to pursue effective regulation and gambling with young people's lives. Russell and other safety advocates argue the evidence from Australia, where a similar ban took effect in January 2026, shows it is not working. An Australian eSafety survey found seven in ten parents whose children had accounts said they were still on the platforms.

In Australia this is not working, it's not something that is enforceable. This looks like policy making being done on the back of a fag packet and frankly that is incredibly high risk when we are talking about children's safety.

Keir Starmer now needs to make a choice between a politically expedient blanket ban that the evidence says will quickly fail or finally addressing the product safety risks that cost my daughter Molly's life.

Political and legal questions

A Downing Street spokesperson insisted the consultation was thorough and that the priority is protecting children, not politics. However, officials acknowledge the government could face judicial review over how it distinguishes between platforms subject to tighter restrictions and those considered lower risk. The Conservatives, led by Kemi Badenoch, have also called for stronger action. The MRF study, combined with the scale of public support for a ban, sets the stage for a contentious week in Westminster.

The prime minister has been clear that the status quo is not good enough and we need to do more to protect children. This is not about politics - it is about protecting children.