British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced a ban on social media access for all users under the age of 16. The announcement was made on June 15, 2026, at Downing Street.
The new policy will impact popular platforms such as Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and X. Officials plan to implement the ban by spring 2027, with the relevant legislation set to be introduced to Parliament before Christmas.
Starmer emphasized that social media contributes to childhood unhappiness, facilitates bullying, and is designed to be addictive. The government aims to give children their childhood back by shielding them from harmful content and excessive screen time.
This decision follows a similar move by Australia and is based on a national consultation involving more than 116,000 participants. Nine out of ten parents and two-thirds of young people expressed support for these restrictions.
In addition to the total ban for minors, authorities will introduce strict regulations for "safe" platforms, including prohibitions on disappearing messages, contact with unknown adults, and live broadcasts. Similar restrictions will also apply to gaming services and livestreaming platforms.
Details on how age will be verified and how compliance will be enforced have not yet been specified. The question of practical implementation remains an open one.
This measure is part of a broader online child protection package established under the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026. The House of Lords had previously signaled its support for similar amendments.
These new regulations are expected to significantly affect the operations of major tech companies in the UK and could set a precedent for other nations considering similar restrictions.
