There is growing public concern in the UK over cases linked to online bullying, harmful content, and self-harm among young people
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that the country will ban social media for users under 16, planning to model the policy on Australia’s landmark legislation.
The new rules could be one of the toughest in the world and are expected to begin in spring 2027. It could apply to TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, YouTube, and X, though WhatsApp and Signal may be excluded.
While the UK government would take guidance from Australia’s rules, it intends to go further by restricting features considered especially harmful to young users. Children under 16 would be blocked from livestreaming and contacting strangers online, while 16- and 17-year-olds would automatically receive the same safety protections.
Officials are also examining overnight curfews and limits on addictive features such as endless scrolling.
Starmer’s decision follows growing public concern in the UK over cases linked to online bullying, harmful content, and self-harm, alongside increasing evidence that excessive social media use can hurt young people’s mental health.
Technology companies, however, argue that blanket bans may be difficult to enforce and could push teenagers toward unregulated platforms or encourage the use of virtual private networks (VPNs) to bypass restrictions.
Meta and YouTube have both said they already offer built-in safety features and age-appropriate experiences for younger users, while legal experts warn that policing overseas-based services could prove challenging.