British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced plans to completely prohibit access to social media platforms for children under the age of 16. The government aims to pass the legislation by the end of 2026, with the ban expected to take effect in the spring of 2027.
According to British authorities, the restrictions will apply to the platforms most popular among teenagers, including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, YouTube, and X. However, messaging services such as WhatsApp and Signal will remain accessible, as they are primarily viewed as communication tools rather than social media networks.
In addition to restricting access for minors, the government intends to require digital platforms to disable certain features considered particularly harmful to children. These measures include limiting live-streaming functions and preventing adults from contacting users under the age of 16.
Speaking to reporters, Keir Starmer argued that social media can no longer be regarded as a safe environment for young people. According to the Prime Minister, these platforms facilitate bullying, expose children to harmful content, and negatively affect their mental health.
The Prime Minister also dismissed concerns that the policy could trigger opposition from major American technology companies. He stressed that the initiative should not be interpreted as hostility toward technological innovation or artificial intelligence.
If adopted, the legislation would make the United Kingdom the second country in the world, after Australia, to introduce such strict restrictions on minors’ access to social media.
Australia implemented a similar ban in December 2025. Responsibility for enforcing the law falls directly on social media companies, which are required to identify and deactivate accounts belonging to users under 16 and prevent new registrations by minors. Companies that fail to comply face fines of up to AUD 49.5 million (approximately USD 33 million).
The adoption of such legislation in the United Kingdom could also increase pressure on other European countries and accelerate the introduction of similar measures both at the national level and across the European Union.
