UK social media ban for under-16s to begin in early 2027, government says

The UK government has announced a social media ban for under-16s that will take effect in early 2027, covering platforms including Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and X. The prime minister, Sir Keir Starmer, said keeping children off social media is the best way to keep them safe online. The ban will apply to platforms “whose purpose is to enable social interaction and which allow users to post material”, the government said, though a complete list has not been released. Messaging services like WhatsApp and Signal will not be included, and YouTube Kids, a version of the video-sharing app with parental controls, will also be exempt. The government is additionally considering an overnight curfew and measures to stop infinite scrolling for under-18s, with more detail expected in July. For “high risk” functions such as livestreaming and chat with strangers, restrictions will be on by default for under-17s “to prevent a cliff-edge at 16”. AI “romantic companion” chatbots designed to simulate sexual relationships will have to enforce a minimum age of 18, while other AI chatbots must restrict “intimate functionalities” for under-18s. The prime minister said the government plans to pass regulations before Christmas, allowing the ban to be introduced by spring 2027. The announcement follows a public consultation that received more than 116,000 responses. The government said “highly effective age assurance” measures, such as face scans or ID checks, would be used to verify ages, and regulator Ofcom has been asked to carry out a rapid study to identify the best methods. While some platforms already require age checks, concerns have been raised about virtual private networks (VPNs) being used to bypass the measures.