The United Kingdom will officially ban children under the age of 16 from accessing major social media platforms under sweeping new online safety measures announced by Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The policy, described by the government as an “Australia Plus” approach, aims to protect young people from harmful and addictive online content.
The ban is expected to apply to popular platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, X, Snapchat, YouTube, and Reddit. Messaging services such as WhatsApp and Signal will initially remain exempt, although officials say those platforms could face future reviews.
Under the proposed rules, social media companies—not children or parents—will be responsible for enforcing age restrictions through enhanced age-verification systems overseen by the UK’s communications regulator, Ofcom. The government is considering technologies such as digital IDs, facial age estimation, and bank-based verification methods.
The measures go beyond a simple social media ban. The government also plans to restrict under-16s from communicating with strangers through gaming platforms and livestreaming services, while users under 18 could face additional protections, including limits on late-night scrolling and access to AI chatbots that simulate romantic or sexual relationships.
“Social media is making children unhappy, it’s making it easier for bullies to harass and abuse them, and it could even be harming their mental health,” Starmer said during a Downing Street press conference.
Starmer said the decision was driven by growing evidence linking excessive social media use to declining mental health and increased online harm among young people.
The government plans to introduce the necessary legislation before the end of the year, with the restrictions expected to take effect in early 2027.
