Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is expected to announce a ban on under-16s from major social media platforms, including TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram, describing it as "Australia-plus" and a choice between "families across the country, or a status quo that isn't working."
The UK government plans to ban children under 16 from using major social media platforms. This follows Australia's world-first ban in December 2025. The UK ban is expected to cover a similar range of 10 platforms: TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, YouTube, Reddit, Twitch, X, Threads, Facebook and Kick. Additionally, the UK will go further by restricting children from livestreaming on safer sites, stopping them talking to strangers on gaming apps, and considering curfews for older teenagers. The announcement comes after a government consultation that received about 116,000 responses, with 90% of parents backing a ban for under-16s and over 83% saying risks outweigh benefits.
“Explains the UK government's proposed ban on social media for under-16s, including details, background, and debate.”
The push for a ban stems from concerns about children's safety online, particularly after cases like Molly Russell, who took her own life at 14 after seeing harmful content. Her father Ian Russell has warned against a ban, calling instead for better regulation. The UK already has the Online Safety Act, which enforces age verification, but research shows nearly half of kids believe age checks are easy to bypass. The government's consultation also considered less drastic measures like switching off addictive features (infinite scroll, autoplay) and restricting AI chatbots. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said tech companies have had "more than enough time" to make products safe, and if they won't, they "lose the right to market their products towards children."
For UK parents and children, this could mean significant changes to daily online habits. Under-16s would be banned from major social media apps, and 16-17 year olds could face curfews to prevent late-night scrolling. Gaming platforms would also restrict chat with strangers. Critics, including some MPs and campaigners, argue a ban could drive children to less regulated, darker corners of the internet. Australia's experience shows three-quarters of teens found ways around the ban, and smaller dangerous platforms flourished. The UK government acknowledges it's not a silver bullet but sees it as a cultural shift.
Q: Which social media platforms will be banned for under-16s in the UK? The ban is expected to cover at least 10 major platforms: TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, YouTube, Reddit, Twitch, X, Threads, Facebook and Kick. WhatsApp is not expected to be included. The government wants flexibility to add new platforms.
Q: How will the ban be enforced? Enforcement will rely on age verification measures, building on the Online Safety Act. Ofcom recommends methods like photo analysis, open banking checks, or mobile network verification. However, research shows many children bypass age checks using fake birthdays or altered photos. The government may need new legislation, so the ban won't take effect immediately.
Q: What do critics say about the ban? Critics, like Labour MP Emily Darlington and Ian Russell, argue a ban could backfire by pushing children to unregulated platforms like Telegram or Tattle.Life. They say it fails to address the root problems and creates a "whack-a-mole" situation. Some also note the ban is a U-turn for Starmer, who previously opposed such measures.
Starmer will announce the ban on Monday, but many details remain unclear. Curfews for 16-17 year olds and precise platform lists will be revealed later. The government will need to legislate, using powers from the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Act. A further announcement on curfews is expected next month. The policy is likely to face parliamentary debate and legal challenges from tech companies.