UK Government Announces Social Media Ban for Under-16s Starting Spring 2027

The UK government announced plans on Monday to ban children under 16 from social media platforms, a move Prime Minister Keir Starmer said sets "a line in the sand" against Big Tech. Legislation is due before Parliament's Christmas recess, with enforcement starting in spring 2027.

The ban follows a consultation called "Growing Up in an Online World" in which 91 percent of parents supported a minimum age of 16 for social media use, and 88 percent said fewer children would be exposed to harmful content under such restrictions. The government is following Australia's model of targeting user-to-user platforms whose primary purpose is social interaction.

Platforms and features in scope

The ban will cover services including Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and X. Beyond the age restriction, the government is also limiting specific features for all under-18s to avoid a "cliff edge" when children turn 16.

• Stranger contact will be restricted, including direct messaging from unknown adults.
• Livestreaming by minors will be blocked or heavily restricted.
• Disappearing messages and explicit image sharing will face new controls.
• AI companion chatbots aimed at children will be prohibited or restricted.
• Additional measures for under-18s are due in July, including overnight curfews and mandatory breaks in infinite scrolling.

Enforcement questions and rights concerns

The government says it will require "highly effective age assurance" systems to avoid problems seen in Australia, where children bypassed checks. However, recent UK trials already showed young people fooling age verification with simple tricks such as drawn-on mustaches. Ofcom, which will enforce much of the regime, said it is ready to work with the government on detailed regulations.

Critics say the plan goes too far. James Baker of the Open Rights Group warned that "every failed attempt to make children safer online is followed by more surveillance and censorship," adding that the policies will harm free expression and push children into unregulated spaces. Others questioned enforcement: Mark Jones, an online harms specialist at Payne Hicks Beach, noted the consultation closed only weeks ago and that determined teenagers find ways around restrictions.

The government has not yet detailed how it will verify age without requiring ID from every social media user, an approach that has drawn privacy concerns in other jurisdictions. Ministers plan to publish further details on age assurance and additional measures for under-18s in July.