Mayor of London Sadiq Khan is expected to publicly endorse a ban on social media access for under-16s, arguing that urgent intervention is needed to curb what he describes as ongoing harms affecting children online.
During a speech in London on Tuesday, Khan is set to say that restricting access for minors may be the only immediate way to address the risks already present on major platforms.
“Safety First” Argument Puts Pressure on Tech Companies
In his remarks to an audience of engineers, entrepreneurs, and investors, Khan is expected to challenge technology firms to demonstrate that their platforms are safe for younger users before allowing them access.
He will compare the situation to regulated industries such as food and medicine, suggesting that digital platforms should face similar scrutiny.
“From food to pharmaceuticals, almost every company has to prove that its products are safe before they’re sold,” he is expected to say.
“I see no reason why social media firms shouldn’t do the same.”
Until companies can meet that standard, he will argue, restricting under-16 access remains “the only way to stem the harms we know are happening right now.”
Political Pressure Builds Over Youth Online Safety
The mayor’s intervention comes amid growing political and public pressure on the UK government, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, to take stronger action on children’s online safety.
Campaign groups, including parents who say their children’s deaths were linked to social media use, have urged ministers to adopt tougher restrictions similar to Australia’s approach, including an outright under-16 ban.
A recent government consultation on children’s online experiences explored options such as age bans, app usage curfews, and limits on addictive platform features.
That consultation closed last week, and ministers have pledged rapid action—though no firm commitment to a ban has yet been made.
Concerns Over Online Misogyny and Harmful Influences
Khan is also expected to raise concerns about the spread of misogynistic content online, warning that some platforms are amplifying harmful narratives that target young men.
He will call on tech companies to explain how such content spreads and to detail how they plan to adjust algorithms to prevent its amplification.
If companies fail to act, he is expected to say, “then the state must step up.”
He is also due to describe so-called “manosphere” influencers as exploitative figures who profit from vulnerable young audiences, warning of serious consequences for both young men and the women in their lives.
£1 Million Initiative Targeting Boys and Young Men
Alongside his policy remarks, the mayor will announce a £1 million support package aimed at improving outcomes for boys and young men across the capital.
The programme is expected to include support for vulnerable pupils in schools and pupil referral units, expanded work through the mayor’s violence reduction initiatives, a new scheme for fathers, and the placement of football mentors in communities.
Officials say the initiative is intended to address rising concerns about isolation, vulnerability, and exposure to harmful online influences.
Calls for Reform Beyond Restriction
Despite his backing for a potential ban, Khan is also expected to caution that restricting access alone will not solve the wider problem of online harm.
He will argue for a broader rethink of how social media platforms operate, calling for systems that prioritise user wellbeing over engagement and profit.
London, he is expected to say, should move towards digital spaces where connection does not come at the cost of safety, and where harmful behaviour is not rewarded by platform algorithms.
