Under-16s to be banned from social media as UK government unveils world-first online crackdown

Children across the UK will be banned from using major social media platforms under landmark government plans designed to “give kids their childhood back”, in what ministers are describing as the most far-reaching package of online protections introduced anywhere in the world.

The proposed measures would prevent under-16s from accessing platforms including Snapchat, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, X and YouTube, while also introducing sweeping restrictions on harmful online features such as livestreaming and communication with strangers.

If approved by Parliament, the changes would mark one of the biggest shifts in how children use the internet since the rise of social media and could affect millions of young people and families across Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.

A major change for a generation raised online

The government says the plans are intended to reduce the amount of time children spend scrolling online and encourage more time spent engaging in sport, creative activities, nature and real-world social interaction.

Using a model similar to one already adopted in Australia, the proposed ban would apply to user-to-user social media platforms that enable people to post content, interact socially and engage with algorithm-driven feeds.

Platforms expected to be covered include:

• Snapchat

• TikTok

• Instagram

• Facebook

• X

• YouTube

The government has indicated that messaging services such as WhatsApp and Signal are not expected to be included in the ban.

The measures are expected to be brought before Parliament before Christmas, with the first protections potentially coming into force in Spring 2027.

Restrictions will go beyond a social media ban

Ministers say the plans are designed to tackle how children experience harm online rather than focusing solely on social media platforms.

Alongside the ban, the government intends to introduce restrictions on functions it believes increase risk for young users.

These would include:

• Livestreaming by children under 16

• Communication between children and strangers online

• Similar harmful features across a wider range of digital services, including some gaming platforms

In a further move, these protections would remain switched on by default for 16 and 17-year-olds to prevent what ministers describe as a “cliff-edge” transition when children turn 16.

The government is also examining the possibility of overnight curfews and measures to interrupt infinite scrolling for under-18s, with further details expected next month.

Starmer: ‘This is a line in the sand’

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said families had repeatedly called for stronger action to protect children online.

He said:

“Parents want to keep their kids safe and happy, but the online world has made that harder than ever.

“I’ve heard first hand from families crying out for change and we will do right by them.

“That’s why we’re going further than any country in the world by banning social media for under-16s and putting wider protections in place to give kids their childhood back.

“This is a line in the sand. Tech giants had their chance and failed, but we’re stepping in to protect children, back parents and set a new normal for future generations.”

New rules for AI chatbots and online platforms

The crackdown will also extend to emerging artificial intelligence technologies.

AI “romantic companion” chatbots designed to simulate intimate or sexual relationships will be required to enforce a minimum age of 18.

The government says other AI chatbot services offering similar intimate interactions will face restrictions for under-18s.

Officials argue that these protections are necessary because children increasingly encounter harmful content and risky interactions through a variety of online services, not solely through traditional social media platforms.

Parents overwhelmingly back tougher action

The announcement follows what ministers describe as one of the largest public consultations undertaken by the government on online safety.

More than 116,000 responses were submitted by parents, children and experts.

According to the government:

• Nine in ten parents support a social media ban for under-16s

• Around two-thirds of young people agree that children under 16 should not be allowed to use at least some social media platforms

The government says concerns raised during the consultation included exposure to harmful content, addictive design features, algorithm-driven feeds and the difficulty of moderating real-time content.

Ofcom to review enforcement powers

A key challenge will be ensuring children cannot simply bypass age restrictions.

To address this, ministers plan to introduce what they describe as more highly effective age assurance measures and have asked Ofcom to conduct an urgent study into the most reliable methods of verifying whether someone is over 16.

Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said the changes represented a significant shift in responsibility away from technology companies and towards parents.

She said:

“Today we take a bold and significant step, towards creating a safer, healthier life online, for our children and future generations.

“Tech companies have had countless opportunities to keep children safe, yet they have failed to act. That is why we are taking power away from the tech giants and putting it back in parents’ hands.”

The Secretary of State has also requested an urgent review of Ofcom’s enforcement capabilities, with a new enforcement strategy expected to follow.

What happens next?

The government has already secured powers through the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act to introduce protections through secondary legislation rather than waiting for a new primary Act of Parliament.

That approach is intended to accelerate implementation and could allow the first measures to become law in Spring 2027.

The announcement comes amid wider government efforts to strengthen child wellbeing, improve access to sport, arts and enrichment activities, and reduce barriers to opportunity for young people.

For families across Northern Ireland, the proposals represent a significant cultural shift that could fundamentally change how children engage with technology, social media and the wider online world for years to come.

The plans must still pass through Parliament, but the government has made clear it intends to move quickly, signalling what could become one of the most consequential changes to children’s online lives in a generation.