The United Kingdom is preparing to introduce a nationwide ban preventing children under the age of 16 from accessing major social media platforms, in what would be one of the world's toughest measures aimed at protecting young people online.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced on Monday that the proposed legislation is expected to be presented to Parliament before Christmas, with implementation targeted for early 2027.

The ban would apply to popular platforms including Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Facebook, YouTube and X, formerly known as Twitter.

According to Starmer, many social media platforms are intentionally designed to keep users engaged for extended periods, raising concerns about their impact on children's mental health and wellbeing.

"Every parent can see it with their own eyes: social media is making children unhappy," Starmer said, adding that families across the country have been calling for stronger action to protect young people online.

The British leader, who is a parent of two teenagers, argued that the government has a responsibility to respond to growing concerns about the influence of social media on children.

The proposal follows similar measures adopted or pursued by countries including Australia, Canada, Brazil and Indonesia as governments worldwide grapple with the effects of digital platforms on young users.

Under the proposed rules, messaging applications such as WhatsApp would not be included in the ban.

The announcement has been welcomed by online safety campaigners, including Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who have previously advocated stronger protections for children in digital spaces.

However, the proposal is expected to face opposition from major technology companies. Several US-based tech firms have argued that blanket bans could push teenagers toward less regulated online environments and create enforcement challenges.

If approved by Parliament, the legislation would mark a significant shift in the UK's approach to online safety and could influence similar policy debates in other countries.