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Social Media Ban · Tech Policy · UK Regulation · Youth Protection
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a ban on major social media platforms for children under 16, including Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and X, with additional restrictions on gaming and livestreaming, aiming to restore childhoods.
The government stated the ban targets platforms enabling user-to-user social interaction and algorithmic content, explicitly exempting messaging services like WhatsApp and music streaming. Enforcement will focus on platforms, not children, with regulator Ofcom conducting a rapid study to establish age verification methods and implementing a new enforcement strategy with dedicated funding.
Prime Minister Starmer aims to pass relevant regulations before Christmas, with the ban coming into force early next year; a full policy response will be published in July. Additionally, the government will block livestreaming and stranger communication for under-16s on gaming sites and will review overnight curfews and breaks in infinite scrolling for under-18s, applying default restrictions for 16- and 17-year-olds.
