UK Announces Social Media Ban for Under-16s Following National Consultation

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6.15.2026

Quick Facts

UK will ban under-16s from TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Snapchat and X by spring 2027, while allowing messaging apps
National consultation drew 116,000 responses with 90% of parents supporting the ban and two-thirds of young people backing restrictions
Ofcom can fine platforms up to £18 million or 10% of global turnover for non-compliance

Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced Monday that Britain will ban under-16s from major social media platforms, calling it “a big moment for our country.” The ban covers TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Snapchat and X but excludes messaging services like WhatsApp and Signal.

The decision follows a national consultation that received more than 116,000 responses from parents, children and experts. Results showed 90% of parents backed a social media ban for under-16s, while two-thirds of young people supported restrictions for younger users.

“Tech giants had their chance and failed, but we’re stepping in to protect children,” Starmer said. “This will make a huge difference, it will make our children safer, it will make our children happier.”

The government will bring legislation before Parliament before Christmas, with the ban taking effect around spring 2027. UK tech regulator Ofcom will enforce the rules and can issue fines up to £18 million or 10% of a company’s annual global turnover.

Ofcom data from 2025 shows 97% of 13-15 year-olds own mobile phones, with 95% using social media and 96% having their own social media profiles. The regulator noted it has “driven some of the strongest changes of any online safety regulation in the world” but said “the industry needs to go much further.”

Australia’s similar ban, enacted in December, removed 4.7 million under-16 accounts within its first month. Meta shut down 550,000 Australian accounts during that period. However, research from the Molly Rose Foundation claims over half of under-16 users remain on TikTok, YouTube and Instagram despite the restrictions.

The UK ban extends beyond Australia’s by including romantic or sexual AI chatbots and blocking children from chatting with strangers on gaming platforms. Starmer said UK measures “possibly go a bit further” than Australia’s approach.

Critics warn the policy could create enforcement challenges. When the UK implemented age-verification measures under its Online Safety Act, VPN downloads surged 1,800% as users circumvented restrictions. Professor Alan Woodward from the University of Surrey accused policymakers of pursuing “technological solutions to sociological problems.”

The move places Britain among countries tightening online safety for children, joining Australia, Canada, Brazil and Indonesia in implementing age-based social media restrictions.