UK Announces Social Media Ban for Children Under 16

The United Kingdom has announced plans to introduce one of the world’s toughest online safety measures, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirming that children under the age of 16 will be banned from accessing major social media platforms.

The proposed legislation, expected to be presented to Parliament later this year, will prohibit under-16s from using platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, YouTube, and X. The government says the move is aimed at protecting children from harmful content, online predators, cyberbullying, and addictive digital features that negatively impact mental health.

Announcing the policy on Monday, Starmer said social media platforms are increasingly “making children unhappy” and exposing them to content that is both dangerous and deliberately designed to keep young users engaged for extended periods.

According to the British government, the ban is expected to take effect in spring 2027 if approved by lawmakers. Officials say technology companies will be required to implement robust age-verification systems to prevent underage users from accessing restricted platforms.

While the restrictions will apply to most major social networking services, messaging applications such as WhatsApp and Signal will remain exempt from the ban. Authorities argue that these services primarily facilitate direct communication rather than content-driven engagement.

READ ALSO:

• Ogun APC Unveils Kudirat Adegunwa-Balogun as Yayi’s Running Mate for 2027 Governorship Election
• BREAKING: Court Orders Deregistration of ADC, Four Other Political Parties
• BREAKING: Kenneth Okonkwo Withdraws Support for Atiku

In addition to social media restrictions, the UK government plans to introduce tougher regulations for gaming services and livestreaming platforms that allow children to interact with strangers online. Starmer emphasized that children should not be exposed to unknown adults through digital platforms without adequate safeguards, indicating that further measures are being developed to limit such interactions. Officials have described the planned reforms as “world-leading,” with additional details expected to be unveiled in July.

The government is also considering a range of extra protections for young internet users. These include overnight social media curfews for minors, mandatory breaks from infinite scrolling features, and stricter default privacy settings for teenagers. Officials say the proposals are intended to reduce excessive screen time and minimize exposure to potentially harmful online content. The reforms follow a government-led consultation in which British teenagers tested social media bans and app time limits, helping shape the final policy framework.

Starmer acknowledged that the UK’s approach was partly inspired by Australia, which became the first country to implement a nationwide social media ban for under-16s. However, British officials insist that the UK’s proposals go further by extending restrictions to gaming platforms, livestreaming services, and potentially certain AI-powered companion chatbots that may pose risks to children.

The announcement has generated debate within the technology industry. A spokesperson for YouTube warned that a blanket ban could push children toward less-regulated online services, potentially creating new safety concerns. Other industry stakeholders have questioned how age-verification requirements will be enforced and whether teenagers will find ways to circumvent the restrictions.

Despite the criticism, the government remains committed to the policy, arguing that stronger intervention is necessary to protect children in an increasingly digital world. Supporters of the proposal say the ban could help tackle growing concerns about mental health issues, online addiction, cyberbullying, and harmful content exposure among young people.

If approved, the legislation would position the UK among the global leaders in regulating children’s online activity and could influence similar policy discussions in other countries.

UK Announces Social Media Ban for Children Under 16

US, Iran Set to Sign Peace Deal June 19 in Switzerland as Hostilities Cease

GENEVA, Switzerland — In a landmark diplomatic breakthrough, the United States and Iran have reached a historic peace agreement aimed at ending nearly four months of military confrontation that threatened to destabilize the entire Middle East. The formal signing ceremony is scheduled to take place on Friday, June 19, 2026, in Switzerland, following intensive mediation efforts led by Pakistan with support from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye.

The agreement, structured as a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) , is expected to establish an immediate and permanent cessation of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon, once signed. It also provides for the reopening of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint for global oil supplies, and sets the stage for a 60-day negotiation period to address outstanding issues, including Iran’s nuclear programme and comprehensive sanctions relief.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the breakthrough on social media, confirming that both nations had agreed to a peace framework following weeks of intense back-channel diplomacy. Shortly thereafter, US President Donald Trump confirmed the deal on his Truth Social platform, writing: “The Deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete. Congratulations to all! I hereby fully authorize the toll free opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and, simultaneously herewith, authorize the immediate removal of the United States Naval blockade. Ships of the World, start your engines. Let the oil flow.” The actual signing, however, awaits the formal ceremony on June 19.

The final draft of the memorandum covers a wide range of critical issues that had kept the region on edge for months. Under the pending agreement, Iran is expected to immediately reopen the Strait of Hormuz to all commercial vessels upon signing. In return, the United States will lift its naval blockade on Iranian ports, with implementation to be completed within 30 days of the signing. The waterway, which handles a substantial share of the world’s oil exports, will be restored to full commercial traffic. News of the anticipated reopening has already prompted a decline in global oil prices as markets react positively to expectations of improved regional stability.

Both sides are expected to declare the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon, where Iranian-backed Hezbollah forces had been engaged in cross-border clashes with Israeli forces. The ceasefire is expected to be unconditional and take effect immediately upon signing.

READ ALSO:

• Police Foil Kidnap Attempt, Rescue Nine Victims on Katsina–Kankara Road
• Edo Gov Okpebholo Orders Probe Into Benin Vegetable Market Kidnapping
• Late Gen. Rabe’s Son Denies Claim Father Had Diabetes, Says Mother Still in Captivity

The United States has agreed not to impose any new sanctions on Iran until a final deal is reached. Additionally, the US will waive oil sanctions on Iran for a specified period, allowing Tehran to sell oil and receive revenue. Most significantly, the US has agreed to release approximately $25 billion of Iran’s frozen assets, to be delivered through a combination of direct cash transfers, cooperation among regional countries, and financial credit lines. A separate reconstruction and development plan for Iran is to be defined within the 60-day negotiation window that follows the signing.

The nuclear question — perhaps the most sensitive issue in US-Iran relations — has been addressed in a phased manner. Tehran has agreed that it will neither produce nor acquire nuclear weapons. Pending a final agreement, Iran will maintain the nuclear status quo, including refraining from enriching uranium and not expanding nuclear facilities. The United States, for its part, has agreed that Tehran will be permitted to dilute its highly enriched uranium stockpile inside Iran, with a specific mechanism to be discussed during the 60-day negotiation period after the June 19 signing.

Despite the celebratory announcements, significant differences in how the two sides interpret the agreement have already emerged — raising questions about the durability of the peace framework. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi confirmed that a final text had been agreed upon and would be signed in Switzerland on June 19. However, he emphasized that Iran’s entry into the 60-day negotiation period is conditional upon US fulfilment of its initial commitments — specifically, ending all hostilities, lifting the naval blockade, and releasing frozen Iranian assets. “This memorandum of understanding does not mean trusting the enemy,” Gharibabadi said. “We will monitor the implementation of US commitments.” On the nuclear issue, Iranian media reported that Tehran has not accepted any new nuclear obligations under the agreement, with nuclear issues to be addressed only during the 60-day negotiation period following the signing ceremony. A Trump administration official, however, offered a markedly different interpretation, stating that the draft agreement includes the removal and destruction of Iran’s nuclear materials and the dismantling of its nuclear program, with sanctions relief tied to verified compliance by Tehran. This discrepancy suggests that the 60-day technical negotiation period, far from being a mere formality, could become a contentious battleground where the true contours of the deal are fought out.

The international community has largely welcomed the deal, while some observers have expressed skepticism about its long-term viability. In a joint statement, the leaders of France, Britain, Germany, and Italy congratulated the United States, Iran, Pakistan, Qatar, and other mediators on the “diplomatic breakthrough.” “This is a moment of opportunity to restore regional stability and stabilise the global economy,” the statement read. “It is now vital that the detailed negotiations are concluded and this agreement is implemented rapidly and comprehensively. We are ready to support that effort.” The European leaders stressed that Iran must never acquire a nuclear weapon and said they were “prepared to lift relevant sanctions in response to clear, verifiable steps by Iran on its nuclear programme.” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres hailed the deal as a “critical step” towards resolving the war in the Middle East, expressing hope that the parties would build on this new momentum. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said the agreement “constitutes an important milestone on the path to establishing lasting peace and stability in the region.”

READ ALSO:

• Abdulsalami Reveals Why Ojukwu Rejected Gowon as Nigeria’s Leader
• How Abacha’s ‘Kitchen Cabinet’ Tried to Oust Me, Pushed for Babangida’s Arrest — Abdulsalami
• Grand Chief Imam of Oyo Land Celebrates Ambassador Victor Adeleke, Praises His Service, Humility

Not everyone has greeted the deal with enthusiasm. Some political figures in both the United States and Israel have expressed caution, questioning whether the agreement can withstand future challenges. Ben Rhodes, who served as a speechwriter during the Obama administration’s 2015 nuclear negotiations with Iran, said the new deal leaves an emboldened Iranian regime at great cost to the world. “This deal reopens a body of water that was open before the war and begins a nuclear negotiation far narrower than what Trump was seeking before the war,” he wrote on X. Former Republican congressman Adam Kinzinger, a longtime Trump critic, wrote on social media: “Iran is now rich and will control the strait while selling their oil on the open market. I was critical of Obama’s deal, but this makes that look amazing in comparison.”

Israel, which was not party to the negotiations, has expressed deep concerns about the deal’s implications for its security. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government has publicly supported efforts to end hostilities between Washington and Tehran but warned that certain terms of the agreement could undermine Israeli security. Israeli officials have expressed concern that Iran may be receiving significant concessions without making sufficient commitments on its nuclear activities. There are also questions about whether Hezbollah-related issues in Lebanon have been adequately addressed. Israel has maintained that its confrontation with Hezbollah is separate from the US-Iran arrangement and that it reserves the right to act in its own defense. Reports have emerged of growing tensions between Trump and Netanyahu, with Trump reportedly criticizing Israeli airstrikes in Beirut that occurred while the United States and Iran were nearing a peace agreement — strikes that nearly derailed the negotiations in their final hours.

The anticipated reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is viewed as one of the most significant aspects of the pending agreement. The waterway is a critical route for global energy supplies, handling approximately 20% of the world’s oil exports. News of the breakthrough has already prompted a decline in oil prices as markets react positively to expectations of improved regional stability and increased supply. Asian stocks have moved higher amid expectations that energy exports through the Strait of Hormuz could gradually resume once the agreement is signed. Shipping and logistics companies, which had been forced to reroute vessels around the Cape of Good Hope at significant cost, have already begun planning for the resumption of normal transit through the waterway pending the June 19 signing.

While the agreement marks a significant step towards peace, several complex issues remain unresolved. Negotiators are expected to spend the coming weeks after the signing discussing Iran’s nuclear activities, including the future of its centrifuges and heavy water reactor; comprehensive sanctions relief, including the scope and timeline for lifting UN and EU sanctions; the verification and monitoring regime to ensure Iranian compliance; the mechanism for diluting Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile inside the country; and a reconstruction and development plan for Iran’s economy. The 60-day technical negotiation period is scheduled to begin after the June 19 signing ceremony, though Iran has insisted that it will only enter these talks after verifying that the United States has fulfilled its initial commitments regarding ending hostilities, lifting the blockade, and releasing frozen assets. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi has repeatedly emphasized that entering into 60 days of negotiations is conditional upon the fulfilment of these commitments by the United States. This conditionality means that any delay or perceived non-compliance by Washington between the signing and the start of talks could unravel the entire framework before substantive negotiations even begin.

All eyes now turn to Switzerland, where on Friday, June 19, 2026, the formal signing ceremony is expected to take place. Further details will likely emerge once both parties officially endorse the agreement and the full text of the memorandum of understanding is made public.

US, Iran Set to Sign Peace Deal June 19 in Switzerland as Hostilities Cease

Iran to US: No Deal Unless We Keep Enriching Uranium & Controlling Hormuz

TEHRAN / WASHINGTON – Iran has drawn a firm red line under any future agreement with the United States: its right to enrich uranium is non-negotiable, and it alone will manage the strategic Strait of Hormuz. The declaration came Friday, directly contradicting assurances U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly gave to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Despite Trump’s claim that a draft deal has been approved at the “highest levels” in Tehran, Iranian state media insist that no final accord will be signed unless it explicitly preserves the Islamic Republic’s nuclear sovereignty and control over the Gulf’s critical oil and gas chokepoint.

Following weeks of indirect negotiations in Oman aimed at ending the war triggered by U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, a ceasefire took effect in April. However, sporadic violence has continued to threaten a return to all-out conflict. Now, as both sides finalize a 60-day negotiation window, Iran’s official IRNA news agency has outlined the country’s unyielding stance.

On the nuclear front, Iran insists its right to enrich uranium and retain existing stockpiles of enriched material will be “emphasised with a view to their inclusion in the final agreement.” This directly rebuts Israel’s claim that Trump promised to strip Iran of all enriched nuclear matter. Regarding maritime security, Tehran demands to maintain control over the Strait of Hormuz, including the right to grant or deny vessels passage. Since the war began, Iran has blockaded the waterway, allowing only a trickle of ships through after they obtain permission from Iranian armed forces. According to the Mehr News Agency, which published what it said was a draft memorandum of understanding (MoU), Iran assumes “no new nuclear obligations” and will not cede management of the strait or restore conditions that existed prior to the U.S.-Israeli military aggression.

READ ALSO:

• Sowore Collapses as Tear Gas Disrupts Democracy Day Protest in Abuja
• Oil Prices Slide as Trump Hints at Breakthrough in Iran Negotiations
• Driving 756km to watch soccer god, Messi
• Publicity Helps Terrorists, Not Victims — Reno Omokri Warns

While Trump told reporters a draft deal had been “brought to the highest level of Iranian leadership and approved,” the text circulating in Tehran includes demands that Washington has yet to publicly endorse. The draft MoU reportedly includes several key provisions. First, it calls for a “decisive end” to the conflict across all fronts, including Lebanon, rather than a simple extension of the fragile ceasefire. Second, it demands the release of **$24 billion** in Iranian assets held abroad, with half of that sum ($12 billion) required to be released before final negotiations can even begin. Third, it seeks a suspension of U.S. sanctions on Iranian oil and petrochemical sales, alongside a complete lifting of the U.S. naval blockade on Iranian ports that has been in place since April 13. Fourth, it includes a demand that the U.S. and its allies pay war reparations and present a $300 billion reconstruction plan for Iran. Finally, regarding the strait, the draft specifies that the waterway would be managed via a mechanism between Iran and Oman, with no role for the United States.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office quickly pushed back against the Iranian narrative. After speaking with Trump, Netanyahu reiterated that the U.S. president had vowed any agreement would include the removal of all enriched nuclear material from Iran and the dismantling of its missile infrastructure. “As long as I am the Prime Minister of Israel, Iran will not have nuclear weapons,” Netanyahu said Friday.

On the streets of Tehran, the prospect of a deal has been met with wary skepticism. “I am not sure how I feel,” a 29-year-old cafe worker in the Iranian capital told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of retribution. “The main purpose of this war was for the US to remove the system, and this did not happen. So what does a deal do?”

Despite Trump’s optimism—which has briefly boosted stock markets and lowered oil prices—Iran’s uncompromising stance on uranium enrichment and Hormuz control suggests that a final agreement is far from guaranteed. The next 60 days of indirect talks will determine whether the U.S. can accept Tehran’s conditions or if the region will slide back toward military confrontation.

Iran to US: No Deal Unless We Keep Enriching Uranium & Controlling Hormuz