Fleur Anderson Welcomes Social Media Ban for Under-16s
Putney MP had been pressing for stronger safeguards
Sir Keir Starmer came to Putney to announce the government's plans when he was Prime Minister
June 23, 2026
Putney MP Fleur Anderson has hailed the Government’s decision to ban social media platforms from offering services to under-16s, calling it a major victory for child safety and a significant milestone in her long-running campaign to protect young people online.
Ms Anderson, who has consistently pressed for stronger safeguards for children and families, said the move represents a crucial step in “giving young people their childhood back”. Her campaigning has focused on the impact of social media on children’s wellbeing, confidence and development, and the pressures created by addictive algorithms and unregulated online environments.
Before standing down as Prime Minister, Sir Kier Starmer, visited Ms Anderson’s constituency to announce Labour’s intention to take tougher action on children’s online safety. They Putney has continued to push for greater accountability from technology companies and more robust protections for families.
In her statement, Ms Anderson reflected on the issue both as a parent and, more recently, a first-time grandmother. She said she wants her granddaughter’s generation to “grow up with more time to play, learn and build real-world friendships, not lose their childhood to addictive algorithms and online harms.”
The Government’s plans will introduce a ban on social media services for under-16s, alongside wider measures including restrictions on livestreaming and limits on communication from strangers to children. Legislation is expected to come before Parliament later this year, with the new protections scheduled to come into force in Spring 2027.
She said the decision sends a clear message that children’s wellbeing must come before the interests of major technology companies, adding that parents across her constituency have been calling for meaningful action.
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