Newspaper headlines: UK's 'Australia plus' social media ban and 'Russian incursion'
BBC News·2026-06-15·via BBC News
A number of the papers preview an announcement from Sir Keir Starmer on Monday, where he is expected to announce a ban on social media for under-16s. Describing the ban as "Australia plus", the Guardian says the "major policy shift" is expected to be "far tougher" than previously briefed. The World Cup also features on the front page, which includes a photograph of delighted Scotland fans celebrating the nation's win against Haiti.
Similarly, the Independent also leads with Sir Keir's social media ban announcement, which it characterises as an "attempt to crack down on online harm to young people". The paper says the "sweeping change" comes after 90% of parents called for action, and will go further than its Australian counterpart by including chatbots and imposing a curfew on 16- to 18-year-olds.
The father of a teen who took her own life after seeing harmful content online warns in the Metro that Sir Keir is "gambling with young people's lives". Ian Russell, father of Molly, has accused the prime minister of "rushing in" a "sledgehammer" policy, telling the paper that he is "dismayed" by Sir Keir's decision to ban children from social media rather than police the platforms themselves.
The "Russian incursion" on Sunday morning is the biggest story for the Daily Star, after a Russian "shadow fleet" oil tanker was boarded by Royal Marines in the English Channel. The prime minister warned Russian President Vladimir Putin that his allies "cannot hide", the paper reports, following confirmation from the ministry of Defence that the vessel will be held and monitored off the south coast of England as investigations continue.
The raid on the tanker is also the main story for the Times, which says that the Royal Marines are "primed to take further action" against sanctioned Russian vessels. The Sunday morning operation was "just the beginning", the paper says, noting that it took place despite a Russian warship being stationed near the UK. Elsewhere on the front page, the Times includes a nod to the death of artist David Hockney, and a political piece that focuses on the forthcoming Makerfield by-election.
The i Paper details the operation to seize "Putin's oil tanker" while leading on the Makerfield by-election.
British Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton is splashed across the Telegraph, after he claimed his maiden victory for Ferrari at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix. The paper also reports on defence spending, writing that Sir Keir will not commit any more money to the military despite a pledge from the the newly instated Defence Secretary, Dan Jarvius, that the armed forces would have "what they need". The Telegraph says that it was suggested that the resignation of John Healey last week would force the prime minister to commit more funding, but the paper now understands that Jarvis has been told to supplement his existing budget by finding savings within the Ministry of Defence.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves is being warned to stop treating pensioners as an "easy target", according to the Daily Mail. It reports that Parliament will consider a mass petition demanding assistance for OAPs on Monday, following the announcement that tax thresholds would be frozen until April 2031.
The Sun reports that the England team were forced into lockdown on Saturday because of a tornado warning in Kansas City where they were staying. The headline of the paper reads: "3 lions on alert".
"Trump expects deal with Iran despite Israeli hit on Beirut" suggests the front page of the Financial Times, which went to print just hours before Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif confirmed that a peace deal had been reached. The paper also carries an image of the White House lit up ahead of Donald Trump's 80th birthday, which was to see a much-anticipated UFC fight take place in the grounds of the presidential property.
The Daily Mail features an obituary for former Labour deputy leader Roy Hattersley, who died at the age of 93 on Sunday. Much like other papers, the front page also covers the Makerfield by-election.
The front page of the Mirror is dominated by its own water safety campaign, and features an interview with the parents of a child who drowned during last month's heatwave.
