On June 15, 2026, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced plans to ban children under 16 from accessing major social media platforms, including TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, X, and several others. The government says the restrictions are intended to protect children from harmful content, addictive algorithms, cyberbullying, and other online risks.
Key points of the proposal
- Under-16s would be prohibited from using major social media platforms.
- Messaging services such as WhatsApp and Signal are expected to be exempt.
- The government plans to require stronger age-verification systems.
- Additional measures under consideration include limits on livestreaming, restrictions on contact from strangers, overnight usage curfews, and controls on infinite scrolling features.
When would it take effect?
The government aims to implement the ban by spring 2027 after regulators develop and finalize enforcement mechanisms and age-verification requirements.
Why is the government doing this?
Starmer said the move is designed to “give kids their childhood back” and argued that technology companies have not done enough to protect young users. The proposal follows growing concerns about:
- Mental health impacts
- Exposure to harmful content
- Online grooming and exploitation
- Excessive screen time
- Addictive platform design
Support and criticism
Supporters—including many parents, child-safety campaigners, and some charities—have welcomed the proposal as a major step in protecting children online. Critics, including some technology companies, researchers, and child-rights advocates, argue that:
- The ban may be difficult to enforce.
- Young people could bypass restrictions using VPNs or false ages.
- Some teenagers may lose access to valuable social and support networks.
- The focus should be on making platforms safer rather than banning access entirely.
This would make the UK one of the most restrictive countries in the world regarding children’s access to social media, following similar moves in Australia but extending restrictions even further in some areas.
