UK Government Implements Social Media Restrictions for Under-16s

The UK is set to follow Australia’s lead by introducing a complete social media ban for kids under 16, as announced by Prime Minister Keir Starmer. This ban, which could roll out as early as next year, will be accompanied by additional measures that restrict children from interacting with strangers in online games, livestreaming, or using sexual or romantic chatbots.

“Do we really think social media fosters a positive environment for our kids? Is it a safe space for them?” Starmer posed during a press conference unveiling the initiative. “I don’t think I even need to answer those questions, do I?”

“Every parent can see it for themselves,” he continued. “Social media is making kids unhappy. It facilitates bullying and abuse, and it may even harm their mental health by exposing them to dangerous content designed to grab attention. It’s built to be addictive — just look at features like Infinite Scroll, which are meant to keep you engaged for hours.”

The banned social media platforms will include Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and X, while messaging apps like WhatsApp and Signal will remain unaffected. “Romantic companion chatbots” will be required to enforce an age limit of 18, and “intimate functionalities” will be restricted for users under 18 on general AI tools. With these gaming and livestreaming restrictions, the UK government claims its new policy will “go further than any other country” in limiting children’s online time.

There’s potential for even stricter measures, as the government is considering “overnight curfews and breaks in infinite scrolling for under-18s,” with further announcements expected next month.

The UK communications regulator, Ofcom, has been assigned to figure out the best age verification methods for this policy. Since last summer, the UK has mandated extensive age verification measures under the Online Safety Act, which requires certain websites to restrict access for under-18s to shield them from pornography or potentially harmful content. This verification often involves users uploading credit card details or government IDs, or consenting to a facial scan to verify their age.

“Tech companies have had countless chances to protect children, yet they have failed to act,” stated technology secretary Liz Kendall. “That’s why we’re taking power away from the tech giants and returning it to parents.”

The government plans to present legislation to parliament by the end of the year, with the first regulations potentially taking effect in spring 2027. Australia’s ban on social media for under-16s is set to begin in December 2025, and several countries, including Canada, France, Spain, and Denmark, are now exploring similar laws.