Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has announced that under-16s will be banned from social media, with ministers hoping to pass the regulation "before Christmas". Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and X are among the platforms affected by the ban, which will come into place by spring 2027, while WhatsApp and Signal will not be included. The government's statement, released as the Prime Minister was speaking earlier today, says ministers will go "further than a blanket ban on social media" by blocking "harmful functions such as livestreaming and stranger communication with children for under-16s". It adds: "These restrictions – which together with the ban go further than any other country – will apply to a wider range of online services, including on gaming sites." This is a live story that will be updated throughout the day. Edited by Sam Hancock, BBC News. In its coverage of the ban, The Telegraph reports that facial age estimation, which adopts a similar precautionary approach to the Challenge 25 rule for alcohol sales and requires customers to prove their age if they look under 25, will be used to police the age rules. The paper is also running a live poll asking readers whether to vote on whether under-16s should be banned from social media. By Charles Hymas. News of the government's social media ban has also been covered by Andrew Sparrow for The Guardian, Millie Cooke for The Independent, Will Hazell for iNews.

Ahead of the Prime Minister's announcement, the Department for Education warned that a lack of sleep has become "a real barrier to attendance" at school, with many children still on their smartphones after midnight. In a move to address the growing attendance crisis, the department has issued guidance that recommends removing any screens from children, such as an iPad or smartphone, for "at least an hour before bed", and stricter bedtime routines towards the end of the school holidays. By Louise Eccles and Ben Spencer, The Sunday Times. 

BBC News takes a closer look at how the ban will work, the government's timescale, and what the restrictions are expected to include. By Liv McMahon. 

In a written question in the House of Commons, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Rural Affairs) Sarah Dyke asked the education secretary what assessment has made of the impact of the VAT on fees policy on independent schools. Responding, schools minister Olivia Bailey said: "HM Treasury’s Tax Information and Impact Note (TIIN) provides a comprehensive assessment of the impacts of the removal of the VAT exemption on private schools. The TIIN is available here." Hansard.

Tes reports on some of the individuals who have been recognised in the King's Birthday Honours list for their contributions to schools and learning. Among those receiving honours is Krystyna Butwilowska, lately chair of governors at Portsmouth High School GDST, who has been awarded an MBE for services to education. By Henry Hepburn. 

Teenagers are going back to reading as they embrace books as a "wellbeing tool" to alleviate anxiety and find respite from social media, a survey of 125,000 children by the National Literacy Trust has revealed. It recorded a rise in reading for pleasure across every age group between eight and 18, and also for both boys and girls, which is the first time in a decade that reading has risen across all demographics in the same year. The annual rise in enjoyment for teenagers was among the largest recorded since the survey by the National Literacy Trust began in 2005. By Louise Eccles and Yennah Smart, The Sunday Times. 

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