The UK government announced a sweeping ban on social media for children under 16, set to begin in early 2027, alongside restrictions on communicating with strangers in online games and livestreaming platforms.
- Complete social media ban for UK children under 16 expected by spring 2027
- Restrictions extend to gaming chats, livestreaming, and AI chatbots with romantic functions
- Ofcom tasked with age verification standards; stricter curfew and anti-addiction features planned
What happened
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a new policy banning social media use for individuals under 16 years old, with the ban likely coming into effect in early 2027. This sweeping measure includes popular platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, Facebook, and X. Messaging services like WhatsApp and Signal will not be subject to the ban. In addition to the social media restrictions, the government is also prohibiting children from engaging with strangers in online games and livestreaming environments.
The new policy also targets AI tools, requiring romantic or companion chatbots to enforce an age minimum of 18 and restrict intimate features for underage users. The government has indicated plans to introduce further measures such as overnight curfews and breaks in infinite scrolling to limit addictive use among under-18s. The communications regulator Ofcom has been assigned to establish the most effective age verification methods to support the legislation.
Why it matters
This policy signals a major step by the UK government to address growing concerns over social media's impact on children's mental health, safety, and wellbeing. Highlighting the addictive design features of platforms and the surge in online bullying, the government aims to create a safer digital environment for young people. The ban reflects a shift away from relying on tech companies to self-regulate, moving decision-making power towards parents and regulators.
The UK's approach could influence global digital regulation trends, following Australia's pioneering ban on social media for those under 16 which took effect in December 2025. Several other countries are exploring similar restrictions to mitigate risks from online content exposure and predatory interactions in digital spaces. This legislation is poised to extend age verification and usage controls beyond current standards under the Online Safety Act.
What to watch next
The government plans to present formal legislation to Parliament before the end of the year, with regulations likely rolling out in spring 2027. Stakeholders will be closely monitoring Ofcom’s development of age verification solutions, which may include face scans, government ID checks, or credit card validation—methods already in use under existing UK laws. The effectiveness and user privacy implications of these measures will be key points of debate.
Additionally, the introduction of potential overnight curfews and mandated breaks in addictive features like infinite scroll could serve as a model for further regulatory innovation. International observers and digital platform operators will also watch how this policy influences child safety safeguards globally and whether other jurisdictions adopt comparable or more stringent social media restrictions for minors.