The UK has announced a complete ban on social media use for those under 16.

The British government has announced a policy to ban the provision of social media services to children under the age of 16. The ban is expected to include Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, X, and others, with the regulations anticipated to come into effect in the spring of 2027.

Social media to be banned for under-16s in landmark government move to give kids their childhood back - GOV.UK
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/social-media-to-be-banned-for-under-16s-in-landmark-government-move-to-givekids-their-childhood-back

UK to ban social media for kids under 16, may impose overnight curfews - Ars Technica
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/06/uk-to-ban-social-media-for-kids-under-16-may-impose-overnight-curfews/

UK unveils sweeping social media ban for users under 16 | TechCrunch
https://techcrunch.com/2026/06/15/uk-unveils-sweeping-social-media-ban-for-users-under-16/

It had already been reported that the UK would be implementing regulations banning social media use for those under 16.

The UK is also planning to ban social media use for those under 16 - GIGAZINE

This policy aims to help children stay away from harmful online exposure and excessive use, allowing them to reclaim time for play and learning. The government plans to model its policies after Australia's system and target user-to-user services that primarily involve posting and algorithmic interaction. However, messaging services like WhatsApp and Signal will not be included in the ban.

The restrictions will go beyond simply banning use; they will also limit live streaming by those under 16 and the ability for strangers to contact children. These restrictions will extend to a wide range of services, including online games, and will be enabled by default for 16 and 17-year-olds. The government is also considering nighttime usage restrictions and interruptions to infinite scrolling for those under 18.

The regulations will also include AI-related restrictions. 'AI dating companion' chatbots that simulate sexual relationships or role-playing will be restricted to users 18 years of age or older, and intimate features for minors will be restricted in AI chatbots in general. The government explains that this is a comprehensive system addressing not only where children are harmed online, but also what features cause that harm.

To ensure effectiveness, the communications regulator Ofcom will investigate methods for verifying that individuals are 16 years of age or older. The government plans to present age verification options that are accurate, reliable, and fair, and facial recognition may be included. However, concerns have been raised about circumvention using VPNs and the collection of personal information.

This announcement comes after a nationwide consultation that received over 116,000 opinions from parents, children, and experts. Government data shows that 90% of parents support banning social media use for those under 16, and two-thirds of young people also support banning use of certain platforms for those under 16. In addition, because the UK government did not ban smartphone use in schools, the charity 'Smartphone Free Childhood ' was established, and there are calls for age restrictions on smartphone use as well.

However, there is debate as to whether a complete ban is effective, with some criticizing it as potentially leading children to move away from regulated environments and towards more anonymous and less regulated services. There are also concerns that age verification would lead to the collection of more personal information from all users, increasing the burden on privacy.

Furthermore, in Australia, which had already banned access to social media for children under 16, there were criticisms that the ban was meaningless because it excluded some platforms such as YouTube. In addition, only about 40% of young people have actually stopped using social media since the law was enacted, and there have been reports in Australia that half of them have stopped watching the news as a result of reduced social media use, so it cannot be said that the ban on social media has necessarily been effective.

The British government is emphasizing its stance of returning responsibility for child safety to parents rather than leaving it to private companies. Going forward, the focus will be on the scope of services covered, specific age verification measures, and details of nighttime restrictions and infinite scrolling countermeasures. If the system proceeds as planned, it is likely to have a significant impact on international discussions regarding social media regulation.