British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Monday (June 15) he would ban social media sites for under-16s and impose restrictions on gaming and live-streaming platforms, in a fightback against big tech that goes further than any other country.

The sweeping changes will make children safe and happier, Starmer said, outlining measures against platforms including Snapchat, TikTok and Instagram, as well as gaming sites that allow strangers to communicate with children.

Starmer said that his decision to ban on social media for children under 16 was about a "statement of values" and not because he was facing a potential leadership challenge.

He is likely to face a challenge to ‌his leadership in the coming months from Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham if his rival wins a seat in parliament at a special election this week.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

BRITAIN'S PRIME MINISTER KEIR STARMER SPEAKING ABOUT CHILD SOCIAL MEDIA BAN

EDITORS PLEASE NOTE: FOR MORE OF STARMER'S COMMENTS ON THE BAN PLEASE SEE EDIT: 9036-BRITAIN-SOCIALMEDIA/STARMER

RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT

SHOWS: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (JUNE 15, 2026) (UK POOL - Broadcast: No use UK. Digital: No use UK, except UK newspapers)

1. (SOUNDBITE) (English) BRITAIN'S PRIME MINISTER, KEIR STARMER, SAYING:

"Laws are rules, but they're also an expression of our values. They shape the social contract, and so this will change the conversations that parents have and the expectations of children over time. It will make a huge difference. It will make our children safer. It will make our children happier. It will give them more time, more security, more freedom to grow up, and more opportunity."

2. WHITE FLASH

3. (SOUNDBITE) (English) BRITAIN'S PRIME MINISTER, KEIR STARMER, SAYING:

"Just in terms of success, that will be in a drop off in children on social media. It won't be complete because some of them will get around it. But a massive drop off in children on social media is sort of step number one. I think step number two, probably equally if not more important, is a cultural change. A sense that our children can grow up differently. And have better and more enriching childhoods as a result. Now that will take a bit longer."

4. WHITE FLASH

5. (SOUNDBITE) (English) BRITAIN'S PRIME MINISTER, KEIR STARMER, SAYING:

"In relation to the legacy issues, I see this differently. This is a huge issue for the country. This isn't about any one individual. It is something which people in this room have been concerned about living with and complaining about for years. And I think we do them, and all those who've been concerned about this, a disservice to try to put that into a particular week when there's a by-election action. That's not what it's about. This is huge; this is a statement of our values, who we are as a country, and it's a way of actually bringing our country together. So for me, this is bigger than some of the usual to and fro of politics, although there's plenty of that. "

6. WHITE FLASH

7. (SOUNDBITE) (English) BRITAIN'S PRIME MINISTER, KEIR STARMER, SAYING:

"Look, I honestly think that across world leaders, there has always been a recognition that leaders have to take steps to protect children. I don't think that's controversial. There will always be arguments as to exactly what the limits of that are and what rules should be in place. But I don't see that as a problem. And obviously we're about to go off to the G7 later on today, and I will discuss this with world leaders when I'm there."

8. WHITE FLASH

9. STARMER WALKING AWAY AT END OF PRESS CONFERENCE