The British government will ban social media access for all users under the age of 16, starting in 2027, reports MacRumors. UK prime minister Keir Starmer unveiled the plans on Monday, saying it was the best way to keep children safe online. (Laws like this are always to “save the children,” don’tcha know!)
“This is not something I do lightly, and I will not present it as cost-free, as if social media has [brought no] benefits to young people, because clearly that is wrong,” he said. “But government is always about choices, and it’s clear to me that a total ban is the right choice.”
The government said on Sunday that its “Growing Up in the Online World” consultation survey revealed that 90% of parents supported setting a minimum age of 16 for use of the apps.
The plan will cover major platforms Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, X, and other social media platforms. While a complete list has yet to be released, Starmer said the rules will apply to services “whose purpose is to enable social interaction and which allow users to post material.” Messaging apps like WhatsApp and Signal are not covered by the ban.
It should be noted most social media platforms already require children to be over 13 to create an account and use their services, so the majority of children are already blocked from using those platforms.
The new law will require social platforms to also ban under-16s from livestreaming and to block functions that let strangers contact children. Those restrictions will be enabled by default for anyone under 17, to avoid what the government called “a cliff-edge at 16.”
Other services will also be age-restricted, as “romantic companion” chatbots will be required to enforce a minimum age of 18, and AI chatbots in general must restrict “intimate functionalities” for under-18s.
“I am not prepared to compromise on the safety and happiness of our children, and that is why this ban must happen, and that is why this ban will happen,” Starmer said. “Yes, it’s hard – hard to legislate for, hard to regulate, hard to enforce. That’s why we sought a wide range of views on this. That’s why we listened to people, had a conversation, we looked carefully at the evidence, learned from countries like Australia that are taking similar steps.”
The legislation is expected to receive final passage before Christmas, rolling out in spring 2027.
