Musk brands UK a ‘police state’ as Big Tech rebels against Starmer’s social media ban June 16, 2026 Elon Musk, Meta and Google’s YouTube have all attacked Keir Starmer’s planned social media ban for under-16s, warning the restrictions will drive teenagers towards less safe corners of the internet and create sweeping new surveillance powers. The backlash comes as ministers consider forcing Apple and Google to carry out age checks on millions of British [...]
Children as young as 14 are being targeted by unregulated gambling firms on social media June 16, 2026 Children as young as 14 are being targeted by unregulated gambling firms, with AI-generated tipsters, influencers and the manosphere blamed for exploiting teenagers on social media. Over 30 unregulated gambling sites – such as Stake and Rainbet – are accused of targeting UK users primarily aged 14-25, according to new data collected last month by [...]
Tiktok falls under ban just as brands ramp up ad spend June 16, 2026 Tiktok’s UK ad business has been growing 40 per cent year on year, with brands increasing spending ahead of what the firm expected to be its biggest trading period on record. But that momentum now faces a test after Keir Starmer confirmed plans to plan under-16s from accessing the platform. The social media giant, which [...]
I’m a digital strategist, here’s why I’m worried about social media June 16, 2026 The political figures who perform best on social media are also the most polarising, writes Josh Coupland I’m a digital native who grew up as social media took hold. Old enough to remember a time at school before social media existed, but young enough to remember countless tales of fellow students being bullied, harassed and [...]
Social media ban may push children to ‘darker corners of the internet,’ lawyers warn June 15, 2026 Sir Kier Starmer’s announcement to ban social media for under-16s on Monday morning may create privacy issues for children and encourage them to use less regulated platforms, legal experts have warned. Speaking at Downing Street on Monday, the Prime Minister said social media platforms are harming children’s wellbeing and making it easier for their mental [...]
Labour MP: Social media ban risks locking young people out of learning June 15, 2026 High-quality, creator-led video content is a valuable resource; it is not the same thing as social media consumption. Any legislative intervention has to be capable of recognising this distinction and the scale of our concern should not be an excuse for blunt solutions, says Feryal Clark Digital creators are trailblazers of a revolution; one that is [...]
VPN demand rockets as UK prepares for under-16 social media ban June 15, 2026 Searches for VPNs jumped 165 per cent overnight after the government confirmed plans to ban under-16s from social media, fuelling demand for digital workarounds. The rush came within hours of Keir Starmer unveiling one of the world’s toughest online safety regimes, which will block social media platforms from offering services to under-16s and introduce wider [...]
‘Protecting children is right’: Starmer takes on Big Tech with social media ban for under-16s June 15, 2026 Keir Starmer has announced a ban on social media for under-16s, arguing that platforms are harming children’s wellbeing and fuelling a generation of unhealthy online habits. The Prime Minister said social media was making children “unhappy”, making it easier for bullies to harass and abuse young people and potentially damaging their mental health. Speaking at [...]
Starmer vows to end system ‘failing our kids’ ahead of expected social media ban June 14, 2026 Prime Minister Keir Starmer has vowed to call time “on a system” failing children online,as the government prepares to ban under 16s from accessing “high risk” social media apps. Starmer will announce sweeping reforms to protect children online at a press conference on Monday. Teenagers under 16 are to be banned from accessing such apps [...]
BGC boss warns tech giants over black market ads ahead of World Cup betting surge June 12, 2026 The boss of Britain’s gambling trade body has urged major tech platforms to crack down on illegal betting adverts ahead of what is expected to be the biggest World Cup for gambling in history. In an open letter seen by City AM, Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) chief executive Grainne Hurst warned that black market [...]