UK To Ban Under-16s From Major Social Media Platforms Next Year
Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that the UK will ban under-16s from major social media apps, a policy set to take effect in early 2027 and enforced with multimillion-pound fines.[1]
The measure applies to TikTok, YouTube, Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook and X but excludes YouTube Kids and messaging services.[1] Platforms that do not take reasonable steps to exclude under-16s could face multimillion-dollar fines under the plan.[1] Officials are also exploring restrictions on stranger contact in gaming and livestreaming, plus possible overnight curfews and scroll breaks for under-18s.[1]
The Online Safety Act 2023 imposed duties on platforms to assess and mitigate risks to children, with Ofcom enforcement deadlines falling in 2025. The House of Lords passed amendments to the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill in January 2026 that would have required an under-16 social media ban, prompting the government consultation. Ministers also visited Australia to study that country's late-2025 ban before launching the March consultation. In 2025, 68% of UK children aged 3-17 used social media apps, rising to 96% among 13-17 year olds.
Reactions were mixed on social media: a UK parent welcomed the move as protection for her 10-year-old, while others questioned how it would be enforced. About 12.6 million people in the UK are under 16, so implementing and policing a ban will be a large technical and legal task.
The mainstream summary does not mention the broader context of a global shift towards age-based restrictions on social media for minors, which is evident in countries like Australia, Canada, and others. This trend is driven by increasing public demand and mounting evidence of the harms associated with social media use among younger populations, particularly in light of incidents like the Brianna Ghey murder that have been linked to online content. The UK policy reflects this international movement, with platforms facing significant fines for non-compliance as seen in Australia, which first implemented a similar ban in December 2025.[2]
Additionally, while the mainstream summary cites the high percentage of UK children using social media, it does not delve into the mental health implications tied to this usage. Research indicates a sharp rise in adolescent anxiety and depression correlating with the advent of smartphones and social media, particularly affecting girls through issues like body image and cyberbullying. This aspect underscores the urgency of the proposed ban and the need for effective enforcement strategies, which critics have raised concerns about.[3]
Show source details & analysis (1 source)
📊 Relevant Data
68% of UK children aged 3-17 use social media apps, rising to 96% among 13-17 year olds.
Children and Parents: Media Use and Attitudes Report — Ofcom
Approximately 12.6 million people in the UK are under age 16.
Deaths projected to outnumber births in UK every year from 2026 — The Guardian
📌 Key Facts
- On June 15, 2026, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a UK ban on under-16s using major social media apps.
- The policy is expected to take effect in early 2027 and will apply to TikTok, YouTube, Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook and X, but not YouTube Kids or messaging services.
- Platforms that do not take reasonable steps to exclude under-16s could face multimillion-dollar fines under the plan.
- The government received about 116,000 consultation responses, with more than 90% supporting an under-16 social media ban.
- Officials are also exploring restrictions on stranger contact in gaming and livestreaming, plus possible overnight curfews and scroll breaks for under-18s.
📰 Source Timeline (1)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time