"it’s clear to me that a full ban is the right choice.”
Sir Keir Starmer has announced a ban on social media for under-16s following a nationwide consultation that showed strong public backing for tougher online protections for children.
The Prime Minister said “social media is making children unhappy” as the government moves to restrict access for young users across major platforms.
The proposals will follow a similar model to Australia, targeting user-to-user platforms designed for social interaction and content sharing.
Platforms including Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and X will come under the ban, while messaging apps such as WhatsApp and Signal will be excluded.
AI chatbots and gaming services could also face restrictions on their functions for certain age groups, while not being explicitly banned.
The government said the measures form part of a “world-leading” approach to online safety, designed to prevent strangers from contacting children through digital services.
Support for the move has been significant, with nine in 10 parents backing stronger action following the consultation, which received more than 116,000 responses from parents, children and experts across the UK.
Sir Keir Starmer said the decision reflected his personal and political judgment.
He said, as a father of two, a full ban on under-16s accessing social media sites was “the right choice”.
He added: “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.
“But government is always about choices, and it’s clear to me that a full ban is the right choice.”
The first regulations under the new framework could come into force as soon as spring 2027, marking the earliest implementation timeline set out by ministers.
The government plans to rely on strengthened age verification systems, described as highly effective age assurance (HEAA), to stop under-16s from accessing restricted platforms. The approach follows concerns that similar systems in Australia have been bypassed by teenagers.
Ofcom is expected to carry out a rapid review into age assurance methods, while Technology Secretary Liz Kendall has written to its incoming chair requesting an urgent assessment of enforcement capabilities and a clear strategy.
The government also plans to block “harmful functions” for under-16s, including livestreaming and direct messaging with strangers, with similar restrictions expected to extend to gaming and other online services.
AI “romantic companion” chatbots will be restricted to users aged 18 and over, while broader AI tools will have intimate functionalities limited for under-18s.
Ministers are also considering additional measures such as overnight curfews and limits on infinite scrolling, with further details expected in July.
The policy follows a wider international shift in regulation, influenced by Australia’s under-16 social media ban introduced in December 2025.
Countries including Spain, Greece, Portugal and Denmark have also explored raising or tightening age restrictions on social platforms.
The consultation process was described by the government as one of the largest of its kind, with two-thirds of young respondents reportedly agreeing that under-16s should not access at least some social media platforms.
Children’s Commissioner for England Rachel de Souza had previously urged ministers to consider extending restrictions to 16- and 17-year-olds, arguing they should not receive “lesser protection”.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has also supported stronger regulation, saying tech firms must prove their platforms are safe for children or risk being excluded from under-16 access.
The Prime Minister stressed that enforcement responsibility would fall on technology companies rather than parents or children, with firms expected to ensure compliance with the new rules.
He added that companies “know very well” they have responsibilities to protect younger users under the proposed framework.
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