The UK government is set to ban social media access for children under 16, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced. This decision follows a consultation process regarding children’s access to social media. “Tech giants had their chance and failed, but we’re stepping in to protect children, back parents and set a new normal for future generations,” Starmer stated during a speech at Downing Street.
The legislation aims to be passed by the end of this year, with enforcement expected to begin in the spring of 2027. The ban not only includes major platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, Facebook, and X but also extends to gaming apps. Children under 16 will be prohibited from chatting with strangers, live streaming, or using romantic chatbots.
The UK’s approach is described as going further than any other country’s legislation on this issue. Starmer noted that the UK will adopt a model similar to Australia’s social media restrictions, which are set to take effect on December 10, 2025. Under the new rules, social media platforms will need to disable access for users under 16 by default. However, chat applications like WhatsApp and Telegram will not be impacted by these restrictions.
The government is also considering additional limitations for youths under 18, including overnight curfews and breaks in infinite scrolling. Although Starmer acknowledged that children may find ways to circumvent the ban, he argued that this should not deter the government from enacting the law. “We don’t say, ‘Oh, look, a teenager managed to get a drink somehow, so let’s not bother banning alcohol sales for children’,” he said.
In January, the UK launched a consultation titled “Growing up in the online world” to gather feedback on enforcing age limits for social media. According to the results, 90% of parents supported setting a minimum age of 16 for social media access. Starmer emphasized that the ban does not reflect an anti-technology stance, asserting the importance of balancing technology use with child protection.
The UK’s tech regulator, Ofcom, will develop detailed rules for the ban in consultation with lawmakers. Ofcom previously implemented significant online safety regulations, including age checks and protections against grooming. Specific enforcement mechanisms and ID requirements for the ban have not yet been disclosed.
