UK Bans Social Media for Under-16s in Major Online Safety Shift

Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed the policy on June 15, stating that platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, X and YouTube will be covered under the restriction, while some messaging services such as WhatsApp are expected to remain exempt. The rules are set to be enforced through age verification systems overseen by the UK’s communications regulator, Ofcom, with additional limits planned on features such as livestreaming, algorithmic feeds and stranger messaging for minors. The government said the policy follows extensive public consultation and is intended to address concerns about mental health risks, online exploitation and addictive platform design.

The policy places the UK among a small but growing group of countries adopting strict age-based digital access rules, drawing comparisons to Australia’s earlier restrictions on under-16 social media use. Supporters, including many parents and child safety advocates, have welcomed the move as a necessary step to protect children from harmful content and online contact risks. However, critics have raised concerns about enforcement challenges, privacy implications of age verification technology, and the possibility that young users may migrate to less regulated platforms.