The United Kingdom will implement a ban prohibiting children under 16 from using several major social media platforms, including Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and X, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Monday. The measure, aimed at protecting young people from harmful content and excessive screen time, is expected to take effect in early 2027 following parliamentary approval later this year.

Starmer emphasized the government’s commitment to addressing growing concerns over the impact of social media on children’s mental health, stating that such platforms are contributing to unhappiness among youth. “Every parent can see it with their own eyes,” Starmer said, adding that technological resistance would be met with firm enforcement actions targeting the platforms rather than the children themselves.

The proposed UK ban aligns with a broader global trend, with countries like Australia, Canada, Brazil, and Indonesia enacting or considering age-based restrictions. Australia became the first nation to implement a similar ban last year, barring under-16s from holding social media accounts. Starmer indicated the UK would follow a comparable model, imposing multimillion-pound fines on platforms that fail to enforce age restrictions. The ban will exempt services such as YouTube Kids and messaging apps like WhatsApp and Signal.

Additional safety measures under consideration include preventing strangers from contacting children on gaming and livestreaming platforms, as well as potential overnight curfews and “breaks” in infinite scrolling for users under 18. More details are anticipated in July.

The announcement follows a government consultation that garnered approximately 116,000 responses, making it one of the largest public feedback exercises in recent history. According to government figures, over 90% of respondents supported an under-16 ban, with 83% of parents expressing concerns that the risks posed by social media outweigh its benefits for children.

Child protection organizations offered mixed reactions. The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) welcomed the move as a positive development, urging the government to ensure robust age verification and effective enforcement of the new rules. Esther Ghey, whose daughter was killed by teenagers exposed to harmful online content, described the ban as potentially life-saving but stressed the need for complementary measures. Conversely, some groups expressed skepticism. Save The Children UK warned that sweeping bans might drive young users to less regulated, potentially more dangerous online spaces where help is harder to access. The Open Rights Group raised concerns about privacy and data protection linked to age verification processes.

Technology companies have voiced apprehension as well. YouTube warned that a broad restriction might push children away from supervised, curated digital environments toward anonymous and less secure platforms. Starmer acknowledged these challenges but maintained that the initiative aims to foster cultural change and healthier childhood experiences.

The policy could also heighten tensions with the United States. Earlier this month, the US Embassy in London criticized broad social media bans for potentially infringing on free speech and disproportionately burdening American tech firms. Starmer expressed his intent to discuss the issue with US President Donald Trump and other world leaders at the upcoming Group of Seven summit in France.

In parallel, the UK government announced stricter regulations to prevent children from accessing or sharing nude images on devices, demanding swift action from technology companies to implement safety features or face legislative consequences. According to the Internet Watch Foundation, the majority of online child sexual abuse reports involve self-generated content by children, underscoring the government's broader digital safety agenda.

Starmer, facing internal party pressure and a possible leadership challenge, is pursuing these policies as part of a wider effort to establish a lasting legacy in child protection online.