The United Kingdom government has announced plans to prohibit children under the age of 16 from accessing social media platforms, describing the move as part of efforts to protect young people from harmful online exposure.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer made the announcement on Monday, stating that social media platforms are contributing to declining mental well-being among children. He said the government intends to block under-16 users from accessing major platforms, which he accused of promoting addictive content and exposing minors to unsafe material.
The proposed restriction is expected to cover popular platforms such as TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and X, while excluding messaging services like WhatsApp.
Officials say the legislation could be finalised by December, with implementation expected in the spring of next year. The government also indicated that further measures may extend to gaming and live-streaming services.
In addition, authorities are considering extra safeguards such as nighttime usage limits and restrictions on continuous scrolling features for users under 18. A detailed framework is expected to be released in July.
The proposal follows a public consultation involving over 100,000 responses, alongside pilot tests where British teenagers experienced restricted social media access and usage limits. A large majority of parents reportedly supported stricter age controls, with many backing a minimum access age of 16.
The UK’s approach mirrors similar international actions, including Australia’s recent decision to enforce a social media ban for users under 16. Canada has also introduced draft legislation targeting children’s access to social platforms, while countries like Indonesia have begun implementing comparable restrictions.
Technology companies have raised concerns, warning that a blanket ban could push young users toward less regulated and potentially unsafe online spaces.
The government, however, insists that tech firms have a responsibility to safeguard children. Officials also say they are preparing additional rules requiring platforms to prevent minors from sending or receiving explicit images, with penalties for companies that fail to comply.
A wider policy review is ongoing as authorities seek to address risks linked to online exploitation, harmful content, and child safety in digital spaces.