BBC Breakfast guests reduced to tears as Keir Starmer announcement broadcast live

The announcement came live from Downing Street this morning (Monday 15 June)

The BBC Breakfast hosts were joined in the studio by a group of parents who had suffered through the loss of their children as a result of social media.

After Keir Starmer's announcement of the social media ban for under 16s was broadcast, parents in the studio were visibly emotional, with one guest Elen Roome saying: "I think all of us feel a bit wobbly."

Speaking in the live broadcast, the PM announced the major ban which follows in the footsteps of other nations taking action on social media.

Only in December last year, Australia decided to introduce a similar ban while Denmark have also said they would ban social media for under-15s.

Starmer's social media ban for under 16s

Starmer announced today that under-16s will be stopped from accessing all major social media apps.

He said: "This is not something I do lightly, and I will not present it as cost-free, as if social media has brought no benefits to young people, because clearly that is wrong.

"But government is always about choices, and it's clear to me that a full ban is the right choice."

Starmer added that as a parent himself he knows "the fears that we all feel" around social media.

Which sites are expected to be banned?

While the government is yet to announce an official list of apps and sites that are set to be banned, we do have a good idea of which ones access will be restricted on.

However, as per reports, the apps which will be banned include:

• TikTok
• YouTube
• Snapchat
• Instagram
• X
• Reddit
• Facebook
• Twitch
• Kick
• Threads