The UK government will ban children under the age of 16 from accessing major social media platforms under new legislation announced by Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Speaking at Downing Street, Starmer confirmed that the government intends to introduce regulations before Christmas, with the ban expected to take effect in spring 2027. The measures will apply to major social media services, including platforms such as TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram.
The prime minister described the move as necessary to protect children online, saying he had concluded that a full ban was the right approach despite acknowledging that social media can provide benefits for young people.
“I am not prepared to compromise on the safety and happiness of our children,” Starmer said during the announcement. “That is why this ban must happen, and why this ban will happen.”
According to the government, the decision follows a public consultation that received more than 116,000 responses. Officials said 90% of parents who responded supported a minimum age of 16 for social media access, while 85% believed the risks associated with social media outweigh the benefits.
Starmer argued that social media platforms are contributing to a range of problems affecting young people. He said the services make it easier for bullying and abuse to occur, can negatively affect mental health, and are designed with features intended to keep users engaged for long periods.
The prime minister also said social media use is interfering with everyday activities that contribute to child development, including schoolwork, reading, spending time with friends, and maintaining healthy sleep habits.
The planned restrictions extend beyond traditional social media platforms. The government said children will no longer be able to livestream on platforms considered safer for younger users, and measures will also target services that allow children to communicate with strangers through gaming platforms and other online services.
Officials are additionally considering social media curfews for older teenagers, although details of those proposals are expected to be released next month.
The government has repeatedly referenced Australia’s social media ban for under-16s, which took effect in December 2025. However, Starmer said the UK’s approach would go further by introducing additional protections covering livestreaming services, gaming platforms, and AI-powered tools.
While many parents have welcomed the proposals, some young people interviewed by the BBC questioned how effective the restrictions would be. Several teenagers suggested that users their age would likely look for ways to bypass the rules, while others argued the measures could limit communication and self-expression.
Starmer acknowledged that implementing and enforcing the ban would be difficult but said the government had studied international approaches and believed the restrictions could be made to work.
The legislation is expected to be introduced later this year, with the government aiming for the new rules to take effect in spring 2027.