The UK government has announced sweeping plans to ban children under the age of 16 from accessing major social media platforms, marking one of the most ambitious attempts globally to curb the impact of online harms on young people.
Under proposals inspired by Australia’s regulatory model, platforms such as Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and X would be prohibited from offering services to under-16s. Messaging services like WhatsApp and Signal are expected to remain exempt, recognising their role in direct communication rather than public social interaction.
The move signals a broader strategy to reshape childhood in the digital age, reducing screen dependency and encouraging healthier offline development. At the heart of the proposals is a commitment to “reset” how children engage with technology. Government officials describe the policy as the beginning of a wider cultural shift – aimed at restoring balance between online activity and real-world experiences.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasised the urgency of intervention, stating:
“Parents want to keep their kids safe and happy, but the online world has made that harder than ever.
“I’ve heard first hand from families crying out for change and we will do right by them.
“That’s why we’re going further than any country in the world by banning social media for under-16s and putting wider protections in place to give kids their childhood back.
“This is a line in the sand. Tech giants had their chance and failed, but we’re stepping in to protect children, back parents and set a new normal for future generations.”
While the headline measure is the ban itself, the policy goes significantly further. The government plans to introduce restrictions on high-risk online features across a wider range of digital services, including gaming platforms.
These include:
- Blocking livestreaming for under-16s
- Preventing stranger communication
- Default restrictions for 16 and 17-year-olds to avoid a sudden removal of protections
- Potential limits on overnight usage and “infinite scrolling” features
Crucially, the approach focuses not only on where harm occurs, but how it is experienced – addressing algorithm-driven exposure and real-time content moderation challenges.
The measures will also extend to AI tools. So-called ‘romantic companion’ chatbots, which are designed to simulate intimate relationships, will be restricted to users aged 18 and over. More broadly, intimate, or sensitive chatbot functionalities will be limited for under-18s. This reflects growing concern within government about the rapid evolution of AI-driven interactions and their potential psychological impact on younger users.
A key challenge will be ensuring that age restrictions are effective. To address this, the government is introducing Highly Effective Age Assurance (HEAA) measures designed to make it significantly harder for children to bypass safeguards.
Regulator Ofcom will play a central role. It has been tasked with conducting a rapid review into effective age verification methods, alongside developing a clear enforcement strategy.
The Secretary of State has also confirmed that Ofcom will receive additional funding to:
- Enforce new age restrictions
- Uphold provisions within the Online Safety Act
- Tackle illegal content such as child sexual abuse material and online fraud
The proposed reforms follow a major national consultation that drew more than 116,000 responses from parents, children, and experts.
Findings showed strong public support, with 90% of parents backing a social media ban for under-16s, and two-thirds of young people supported restrictions for younger users.
Initial regulations are expected to come into force by Spring 2027, using powers under the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act to accelerate implementation without requiring new primary legislation.
The announcement forms part of a broader government agenda to improve children’s wellbeing and life chances. Alongside digital reforms, ministers are expanding access to sport, creative opportunities, and outdoor activities, while also pursuing curriculum changes to better equip young people with essential life skills.
The government has also issued a separate challenge to technology firms, setting a three-month deadline to make meaningful progress towards preventing children from accessing or sharing explicit imagery online.
Taken together, the proposals represent one of the most comprehensive attempts yet to regulate children’s online environments.
By combining platform bans, feature restrictions, and strengthened enforcement mechanisms, the government aims to redefine what a “safe” digital childhood looks like – both in the UK and internationally.
Image credit: iStock
