British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced a sweeping ban on social media use for those under 16, joining other countries around the world seeking to protect children online.
“It’s a big step for our country,” Starmer said in a recorded video message released Monday. “Social media is making our children unhappy and unsafe, and as a parent, as much as a Prime Minister, I just can’t let that go on anymore,” he added.
The ban will include social platforms like Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and X, while there is no intention for messaging services like WhatsApp and Signal to be included, the government said in a release.
Starmer’s government had been considering tougher limits on children’s social media as governments around the world face growing pressure to curb young people’s time online.
The push gained momentum after Australia became the first country to pass a law barring children under 16 from accessing major social media platforms, an effort aimed at addressing the concerns about the physical and mental health effects of excessive online use.
The announcement also follows a national consultation survey that received more than 116,000 responses between March 2 and May 26 and solicited public opinions on children’s use of technology.
More than 83% of parents who responded said the risks of social media use outweigh the benefits, according to the consultation, and 90% expressed support for a minimum age of 16 before children can access social media platforms.
Enforcement has historically been difficult, however, as children often find ways around age limits imposed by technology companies.
Starmer’s government called Monday’s announcement a “landmark” move, saying the new measures would be brought to Parliament before Christmas, with protections expected to come into force next spring.
Beyond the blanket social media ban, the restrictions will also include blocks on functions such as livestreaming and stranger communication with children for under-16s, it added.
“It’s not an easy thing to do. I’ll be honest about that,” Starmer said of the new measures. “We haven’t rushed into it. We’ve looked carefully at the evidence, and we’ll have to adapt our approach as technology changes, learn from other countries which are taking similar steps,” he said.
The decision has been resisted, and it will face resistance from some of the most powerful companies in the world, Starmer added. “But we will take them on, and we will win, because the need for action could not be any clearer.”
In Australia, those under 16 are now prohibited from using platforms including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, Snapchat and Reddit. But since the ban took effect in December, authorities have struggled to enforce it. Australia’s eSafety Commission, its top internet regulator, found in March that 7 in 10 parents reported their child still had an account on newly restricted platforms.
Over the weekend, the U.K. announced a new £132.5 million “Every Child Can” program to fund “enriching activities” across sports, art and nature in schools and in local communities as an alternative to scrolling on digital devices.
Last week, Starmer asked tech companies, including Apple and Google, to implement measures that would make it impossible for children to take, share or view nude images, part of a broader push to reduce online harms. The companies have three months to implement changes before the U.K. introduces legislation that forces them to do so, according to a government news release.
“This will prevent predators from being able to exploit and abuse victims through their devices, as well as stopping children from being able to access pornography,” the news release stated. “Adults will still be able to take, share or view nude content through an age verification process.”
Apple also recently rolled out age checks for U.K.-based iPhone and iPad users, requiring individuals to either verify their age with an ID or credit card or have automatic content filters activated on their device.
In the United States, major social media companies face a growing number of lawsuits alleging they have contributed to mental health harms among children and failed to protect them from online predators.
A key tool in many of the proposed restrictions is mandatory age verification, which can require a government-issued ID or AI-powered technology that estimates a user’s age through facial analysis.

Washington — For the first time in U.S. history, the White House will host United Fighting Championship bouts on Sunday, marking the nation’s 250th anniversary and coinciding with President Trump’s 80th birthday.
Mixed martial arts fighters will square off on the White House South Lawn for UFC Freedom 250, culminating in a main card fight between Georgian-Spanish Ilia Topuria and American Justin Gaethje for the undisputed UFC lightweight championship. The main card is set for 8 p.m. ET and will be streamed on Paramount+, which is owned by Paramount Skydance, the parent company of CBS News. Earlier fights begin at 5 p.m. ET.
The president and other top officials are expected to attend the fight. The South Lawn is expected to be filled with 5,000 guests, including members of the military. Fans will be able to watch from the nearby Ellipse. UFC also has a map of bars showing the fights.
Mr. Trump has sought to bring the fights to his presidential turf for almost a year, and UFC executive Dana White is a longtime friend of the president. The UFC event is just the first of a number of events marking the country’s 250th birthday. The Great American State Fair and the Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C., are other events on tap this summer from Freedom 250, a Trump-aligned organization planning events for the anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
The view of the White House from nearby streets has been altered by the setup of star-spangled rigging, which towers at over 92 feet and encloses a UFC Octagon. Mr. Trump told reporters the rigging — known as the “Claw” — will come down after the fight.
Two Virginians sued over the planned fights, arguing UFC had been unlawfully granted “unfettered access to the White House … to stage a private, for-profit sports event, with all the promotional and branding opportunities that accompany such access.”
A judge on Friday declined to block the event after the president’s Justice Department, with Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche at the helm, defended the administration’s plans, asserting that the plaintiffs filed their case too late and couldn’t prove harm.
“It would be easy enough to simply avert their gazes for the weekend,” the Justice Department said in a filing. “Instead, they seek to enlist the power of a federal court to impose their idiosyncratic preferences on the rest of the country and ruin an event designed to celebrate the United States of America.”
The president invited some of the fighters to the White House last month.
The main card event promises to be an interesting fight. Topuria, or “El Matador,” is undefeated at 17-0, and Gaethje, known as “The Highlight,” is considered the underdog.
“First of all, it’s not gonna be the biggest in UFC history; I think it’s gonna be one of the biggest events in sports history, one of the more memorable ones,” Topuria said, according to UFC. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime, very unique event, and being able to be part of an event like this — especially headlining an event like this —is something I feel very grateful about. I’m very excited for what’s coming.”
But an undisputed UFC title would be a first for Gaethje, who is eager for the challenge.
The two have had a personal scuffle online, after Gaethje made comments about his opponent’s ex-wife.
“All that guy is, is a gimmick,” Gaethje told Fox Sports Australia. “He calls himself the king. He thinks he’s a God. … I couldn’t imagine being in a room with him for 30 minutes listening to him talk about himself … And I can say this: I would leave him. That’s all I’m saying. I would leave him.”
Topuria said: “Justin crossed a line.”
“What happened between my ex-wife and me is our business,” Topuria wrote on X. “We may no longer be together, but she is the mother of my daughter.”
Gaethje said he was “joking.” A reporter asked Gaethje in a press conference if he feels like he’s made Topuria overly emotional with some of his comments.
“I hope so. I hope so,” Gaethje responded. “I hope he’s going to come out very aggressive.”
Gaethje didn’t want to preview his approach for the fight.
“Everything is misdirection,” he said. “I’m never going to show my cards before the fight.”
The full list of fights:

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After Sean Strickland defeated Khamzat Chimaev in a split decision to re-win the UFC Middleweight Championship belt during UFC 328 in May, the promotion company travels from New Jersey to Washington DC for UFC Freedom 250 in June.
For the historic sporting event, the main card features Georgian fighter Ilia Topuria (17-0-0) defending his UFC Lightweight Championship title against American Justin Gaethje (27-5-0) in a marquee match. It’s scheduled for five rounds.
On Sunday, June 14, UFC Freedom 250: Topuria vs. Gaethje takes place on the South Lawn of the White House, Washington, DC. The main card is set to begin at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.
UFC Freedom 250 is a special collaboration with President Donald Trump and UFC CEO Dana White to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States’ founding in 1776 (it’s also the president’s birthday). However, there is a lawsuit pending against the National Park Service and the United States Department of the Interior to put an end to the event. At the time of publish, the event is moving forward as scheduled.
How to Watch UFC Freedom 250 Online for Free
The special UFC event is available to livestream on Paramount+. UFC Freedom 250 is not a pay-per-view (PPV) stream. You just need access to Paramount+ to watch it live.
DirecTV’s “Premier” Package is one of the best ways for cord-cutters to access live TV, sports and other popular streaming services. Priced at $129.99 for the first month of service ($169.99/month afterward), you get access to more than 185 channels, as well as access to Paramount+ for UFC Freedom 250. Don’t want to commit? Get a five-day free trial to DirecTV here.
For new subscribers, UFC Freedom 250 starts at $8.99/month for the Paramount+ Essential plan for access to all UFC events (included numbered and fight night events).
If you’re looking to livestream UFC Freedom 250, there is a clever workaround to get Paramount+ for cheap since the streamer doesn’t offer a free trial. Right now, you can sign up for a 30-day trial for Walmart+ for just $1. The retailer’s rewards program comes with Paramount+ as one of its perks.
Aside from streaming access to Paramount+ to watch UFC, you can take advantage of everything Walmart+ has to offer with perks such as free and fast delivery; fuel discounts at Walmart, Sam’s Club, Exxon, Mobil and Murphy stations; Burger King deals; additional savings with early access deals and many other perks. Learn more about what Walmart+ can offer you here.
No matter which Paramount+ plan you pick, you’ll have access to UFC Freedom 250 at no additional cost.

For almost a month, Off Campus sat atop Prime Video’s charts, cementing its place as one of the platform’s most-watched releases of the year after having the third-best debut on the platform. Its reign may have remained uninterrupted had it not been for a new release that has broken Off Campus’ streak brutally, almost as soon as it dropped on the streaming platform: Every Year After.
Starring Sadie Soverall and Matt Cornett, Every Year After was released on June 10, with all eight episodes dropping binge-model-style on the platform, just like Off Campus. In the three days since its launch, the romantic drama has climbed to the No. 1 spot on the Top 10 TV Shows and Top 10 Overall in the United States, while Off Campus has slipped to No. 2 on both charts. The new series is also the No. 1 show globally.
With both shows being of the romance genre, it is clear that Prime Video’s “Obsession Is In Session” initiative, which specifically pushes young adult and romantic stories, is doing what it set out to do.
What Is Every Year After About?
Every Year After is the latest in a growing wave of romance novel adaptations to hit streaming, based on the bestselling book of the same name by Carley Fortune.
The story follows Percy Fraser and Sam Florek, who reunite in the picturesque Barry’s Bay a decade after a mysterious betrayal had torpedoed their teenage friends-to-lovers romance. The show flashes back to Percy’s time at the lake, where she first met Sam, who became her first love. Alongside bonfires with her friend Delilah, she spent her summers working at a local restaurant, interspersed with stolen kisses and memories that are as painful as they are nostalgic.
Alongside Percy and Sam’s second chance romance, Every Year After also fleshes out supporting characters across eight episodes, including Percy’s best friends Chantal and Delilah, and Sam’s older brother Charlie. The series is based on a novel that became a major bestseller, with over a million copies sold worldwide. The dreamy setting, the chemistry, and the curated soundtrack have drawn comparisons to Prime Video’s first YA romance hit, The Summer I Turned Pretty.
The Rise of Book-to-Screen Adaptations
Every Year After’s instant success is not an isolated one. It follows a trend that has been building for years — book adaptations, particularly in the romance genre and fueled by BookTok, have become some of the most reliable hits on streaming. Platforms like Prime Video have learned that these adaptations arrive with a built-in audience that has spent years investing emotionally in the characters, which is built from scratch for original shows.
These niche novels are accelerated by social media and genuine, organic interest by readers, who then turn into reliable viewers of the show. Heated Rivalry, based on the blockbuster books by Rachel Reid, remains a phenomenon since its late 2025 release, and Off Campus capitalized on the sports romance craze by building a heterosexual romance that had hints of Rivalry in it.
Now, Every Year After has outpaced the success of Off Campus, too, which suggests that the book-to-screen adaptation isn’t a fleeting trend, but one of the most successful formulae that streamers can use to capture huge new audiences, but only if they’re done well. Unlike Off Campus, though, which instantly took the world by storm and became the latest pop culture phenomenon, Every Year After received more middling reviews, holding a 70% approval from critics and 52% from the audience, who lamented the big changes from the book.
Every Year After is available to stream on Prime Video.

The UFC White House event has little choice but to adapt to the weather
Dana White has continued to stand firm, but the UFC’s White House event may have no choice but to make adjustments.
He dismissed concerns during fight week, even stating that the Freedom 250 event would go ahead despite lightning.
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However, as White said in April when discussing the UFC’s preparations, they would have no choice but to wait this one out.
It’s fight day, and it seems like one of those issues is already going to come into play later today, with rain currently forecast for parts of Washington DC at that time.
UFC Freedom 250 faces a severe weather threat, as a thunderstorm warning has been issued
A high probability of thunderstorms has been a worry for UFC Freedom 250 ever since early forecasts began to circulate about a week before the event.
The UFC does have backup plans in place for situations like this, so they’ll be prepared to adjust if needed.
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On the day of the event, AccuWeather is calling for “a heavy thunderstorm late this afternoon; storms can bring flash flooding and damaging winds.”
They also expect those conditions to stick around into the evening, along with the humidity that Sean O’Malley has already mentioned he’s not looking forward to dealing with.
Earlier in the week, Dana White explained that the UFC’s approach to lightning would mirror standard practice across sports: pause and resume once conditions are safe.
“Whenever there was lightning, you’d sit the lightning out, and then when it was over, you played,” he said. “That’s what we’ll do.”
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The forecast suggesting thunderstorms could persist into the night might complicate those plans. With an 8 pm local start time, moving up the schedule could be one way to get ahead of any delays.
The BBC’s hour-by-hour outlook for Washington DC on June 14 shows a shift from heavy rain showers to thundery showers between 8 and 9 pm. While most of the day is expected to stay dry, steady thundery showers are likely after 9 pm.
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