Great Britain risks new battle with Trump over social media ban

Great Britain’s new social media ban for kids under 16 is threatening to escalate longtime tensions with the Trump administration over internet and social media policy. 

Prime Minister Keir Starmer revealed this week his nation is moving forward with the ban, less than a week after the White House urged Downing Street against it, citing concerns over free speech and burdensome hurdles for American tech companies. 

Starmer’s move suggests Britain is committed to its digital regulatory agenda, even if it risks another fight with the Trump administration.

“The timing tells you most of what you need to know,” said Tobias Feakin, Australia’s former inaugural ambassador for cyber affairs and critical technology. He added the ban “is a deliberate signal that London will set its own rules on online safety” despite what the White House prefers.

Starmer fielded numerous questions on Monday over whether he’s prepared for retaliation from President Trump, who has threatened higher tariffs in past disputes over digital regulations. 

The prime minister largely brushed off disagreement with Trump on the issue, just hours before meeting with the president and other world leaders at the Group of Seven (G7) summit in France. 

“I honestly think that across world leaders, there’s always been a recognition that leaders have to take steps to protect children,” Starmer told reporters. “I don’t think that’s controversial, but there’ll 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.”

The move makes the United Kingdom the fifth nation to pursue an all-out ban on social media for young kids and teenagers. The under-16 ban will be introduced in Parliament later this year and apply to popular platforms like YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and social platform X.

Messaging services like WhatsApp and Signal will not be included. But the ban goes further than other countries’ provisions in that it limits features on gaming and........

© The Hill