The British government will ban access to social media for all users under the age of 16, expected to come into force in 2027. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the plan on Monday, calling the move “a good step for Britain” and the best way to keep children safe online.
“This is not something I do lightly, and I will not present it as free, as if social media brings no benefit to young people, because that is clearly a mistake,” he said. “But government is always about choice, and it is clear to me that a total ban is the right choice.”
The plan goes further than a similar ban introduced in Australia. It will cover the main platforms Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and
Messaging apps like WhatsApp and Signal are not covered by the ban, and most social media platforms already require children to be over 13 to create an account and use their services.
Platforms will also be required to prevent under-16s from live streaming, including on gaming services, and block features that allow strangers to contact children. These restrictions will be applied by default to under-17s to avoid what the government has called a “16 cliff”.
Meanwhile, “romantic companion” chatbots designed to simulate sex will have to impose a minimum age of 18, and AI chatbots in general must restrict “intimate features” for those under 18.
“I am not prepared to compromise on the safety and happiness of our children, and that is why this ban must happen, and that is why this ban will happen,” Starmer said. “Yes, it’s difficult – difficult to legislate, difficult to regulate, difficult to enforce. That’s why we’ve sought a wide range of views on this. That’s why we’ve listened to people, had a conversation, we’ve looked carefully at the evidence, and learned from countries like Australia that are taking similar steps.”
Starmer said he planned to pass legislation before Christmas, ahead of a rollout in spring 2027. The government said on Sunday that responses to its ‘Growing Up in the Online World’ consultation showed 90 per cent of parents supported setting a minimum age of 16 to access apps.
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