The United Kingdom has unveiled plans to ban children under the age of 16 from using social media platforms, with the restrictions expected to take effect in early 2027.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced the move, describing it as a necessary measure to improve children’s safety online.
He said keeping children off social media was “the right step for Britain” and the best way to keep them safe online.
According to the government, the ban will apply to major platforms such as Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Although officials have not yet published a complete list of affected platforms, the government explained that the rules would target services “whose purpose is to enable social interaction and which allow users to post material”.
Authorities also plan to stop children from livestreaming, including on gaming platforms, while features that allow strangers to contact under-16s will be blocked.
For users aged 16 and 17, these restrictions will automatically remain in place by default “to prevent a cliff-edge at 16”.
The government added that it is considering introducing overnight social media curfews and measures to interrupt endless scrolling for users under 18, with further details expected in July.
New regulations will also target artificial intelligence chatbots. AI “romantic companion” chatbots, which are designed to simulate sexual relationships or roleplay with users, will have to enforce a minimum age of 18.
More generally, AI chatbot services will be required to limit “intimate functionalities” for anyone under the age of 18.
Messaging services such as WhatsApp and Signal are not expected to be included in the restrictions.
Most major social media companies already require users to be at least 13 years old before creating accounts.
Sir Keir said the government intends to approve the necessary regulations before Christmas so the measures can begin in early 2027.
He noted that legislation enabling the government to introduce the restrictions had already been passed.
Addressing concerns over enforcement, the prime minister acknowledged that some children may still attempt to bypass the rules.
“They get around other laws,” Sir Keir said. “But we don’t say ‘oh look a teenager managed to get a drink somehow so let’s not bother banning alcohol sales to children’.”
To enforce the policy, the government said platforms would be required to implement “highly effective age assurance” systems to confirm users’ ages.
These checks could include facial age estimation technology or identity verification using official documents.
The communications regulator Ofcom has been tasked with conducting a rapid review into the most effective methods of determining whether users are over 16.
Several websites, including adult content platforms, already use similar age-verification systems under existing UK regulations, with Ofcom previously penalising companies that failed to comply.
However, concerns remain about children potentially using virtual private networks, or VPNs, to evade the restrictions.
The government said it intends to study Australia’s experience with similar laws, where some children reportedly continued accessing restricted services.
Families affected by online harms welcomed the announcement.
Lisa Kenevan, whose 13-year-old son Isaac died, said he had become her “driving force” in campaigning for stronger online protections.
Speaking to BBC Breakfast, she said parents had hoped the measures would arrive “a lot sooner”, but added that “we’re in a good place now”.
Mariano Janin, whose daughter Mia died aged 14 in 2021 after suffering cyber bullying, described the decision as leaving him “speechless”.
“I think it’s a change in the right direction, it won’t be easy, but it will be possible,” he said.
Not everyone supports the approach. Ian Russell, whose daughter Molly died at 14 after viewing harmful online material, criticised the government before the announcement was made.
Russell argued that “sledgehammer techniques like bans” only create additional problems and accused ministers of moving too quickly for political reasons.
Government figures indicate that nine out of 10 parents support tougher measures on children’s access to social media.
Some teenagers, however, fear the restrictions could affect their social lives and online creativity.
George, 14, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that young people should be allowed to make their own decisions because “we’re beyond people saying what we have to do”.
Meanwhile, Lilly, 15, from Cumbria said platforms such as TikTok help her “communicate more”, including by sharing videos of her performances.
Among the major companies affected, only YouTube has publicly responded so far.
The platform warned that a blanket restriction could drive young users away from “curated, supervised, beneficial experiences and towards anonymous, less safe services”.
