Starmer announces social media ban for under-16s
The UK government will block children under 16 from using platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat starting early next year, with enforcement tied to age verification. Social media companies risk being barred from the UK if they refuse to comply. Critics warn unregulated alternatives may emerge, while firms question feasibility. A curfew for older teens remains under discussion.
What changed
The government has added a threat to ban non-compliant social media firms from operating in the UK if they do not enforce the under-16 restriction.
Live updates
-
UK to ban under-16s from social media by early 2027, firms face exit if non-compliant
confidence 85%The UK government will block children under 16 from using platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat starting early next year, with enforcement tied to age verification. Social media companies risk being barred from the UK if they refuse to comply. Critics warn unregulated alternatives may emerge, while firms question feasibility. A curfew for older teens remains under discussion.
What's confirmed:
- Prime Minister Keir Starmer aims to pass legislation banning children under 16 from using social media platforms designed to be addictive by early 2027.
- Social media companies face exclusion from the UK market if they fail to implement the under-16 ban.
- The UK is following Australia’s model for enforcing age restrictions through age verification systems.
Still unconfirmed:
- A curfew for teens older than 16 is under consideration but has not been confirmed or detailed.
-
UK to ban under-16s from social media in 2027 after Starmer’s announcement
confidence 92%The UK government will block children under 16 from accessing platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat starting early 2027, following Australia’s model. Parliament must approve the legislation, with enforcement relying on age verification. Critics argue the move may push younger users to unregulated alternatives, while social media firms question its practicality. A curfew for older teens is also under discussion.
What's confirmed:
- Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a ban on under-16s using social media platforms including TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat, X, Threads, Reddit, and Twitch, mirroring Australia’s 2025 policy.
- Messaging services like WhatsApp and Signal, along with AI chatbots, will not be included in the ban.
- The UK government aims to pass the legislation before Christmas 2026, with enforcement expected to begin in spring 2027.
- Social media companies have expressed skepticism about the ban’s effectiveness in preventing underage access.
- The policy is part of a broader global trend, with over two dozen countries adopting similar restrictions on minors’ social media use.
Still unconfirmed:
- An overnight curfew for teens aged 16–18 is under consideration but has not been confirmed.
- The ban may drive younger users toward less regulated platforms or private accounts to bypass restrictions.
-
UK to ban under-16s from social media from early 2027
confidence 98%The UK government will block children under 16 from using platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat starting early 2027, with Parliament needing to approve the legislation. The move follows stricter Australian policies and includes potential livestream and messaging restrictions. Critics warn it could drive younger users to less regulated alternatives. An overnight curfew for older teens is also under consideration.
What's confirmed:
- Children under 16 will be legally prohibited from using social media platforms including TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram in the UK.
- The ban will extend to livestreams and messaging features on these platforms, going beyond existing measures in Australia and other countries.
- Parliament must approve the legislation before it takes effect, with implementation planned for early 2027.
- The policy is described by the government as 'bold action' to address online harms affecting young people.
- An overnight social media curfew for older teenagers is being considered as part of the restrictions.
Still unconfirmed:
- The ban may push younger users toward less regulated platforms or private messaging apps.
-
UK to ban under-16s from social media, Starmer calls 'world-first' move
confidence 97%The UK government will prohibit children under 16 from using social media platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat from early 2027, with restrictions extending to livestreams and messaging. The policy surpasses existing measures in Australia and other countries, targeting online harms. Critics argue it may push younger users to less regulated alternatives. Parliament must approve the legislation before implementation.
What's confirmed:
- Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a ban on social media for children under 16, effective from early 2027 if approved by Parliament.
- Platforms explicitly named include TikTok, YouTube, Snapchat, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter).
- The UK restrictions will go further than Australia’s current rules by blocking livestreams and stranger interactions for under-17s.
- Additional measures may include overnight curfews for teens, though details remain under discussion.
- Starmer stated the policy aims to protect children from online harms and 'give kids their childhood back.'
Still unconfirmed:
- Critics claim VPNs could undermine the ban, pushing younger users to riskier platforms.
- Restrictions on gaming and live-streaming content may be expanded but have not been finalized.
- Under-18s could face further limits on romantic messaging apps, though specifics are unconfirmed.