UK Plans to Ban Social Media for Children Under 16

The United Kingdom is set to introduce a nationwide ban on social media access for children under the age of 16, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Monday.

Starmer said social media platforms are negatively affecting young people by exposing them to harmful content and encouraging addictive behavior. Under the proposed rules, children younger than 16 would be prohibited from using major platforms, including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTubeu, Snapchat and X Messaging applications such as WhatsApp would not be included in the ban.

The British government hopes to pass the legislation by the end of December 2026, with implementation expected in spring 2027.

Officials are also considering additional online safety measures, including overnight restrictions on app usage and limits on endless scrolling features for users under 18. Further details are expected to be released in July.

According to Starmer, the proposal was influenced by Australia, which became the first country to prohibit social media access for children under 16 in late 2025.

The announcement follows a government consultation that attracted around 116,000 responses. More than 83 percent of participating parents said the risks of social media outweigh the benefits for children, while 91 percent supported setting the minimum age at 16.

The government also plans tougher measures for gaming and live-streaming services that allow adults to communicate with children online. Starmer argued that children should be protected from interactions with unknown adults in digital spaces.

The move comes amid a growing international push to strengthen online protections for minors. Canada recently proposed similar legislation, while Indonesia began enforcing its own social media restrictions for children earlier this year.

In a related development, the UK government has ordered technology companies such as Apple and Google to introduce stronger safeguards preventing children from creating, sending or receiving explicit images on their devices. Officials warned that legislation could be introduced if companies fail to comply voluntarily.

The government says the measures are designed to reduce online abuse, exploitation and exposure to harmful content, while creating a safer digital environment for children.

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