Britain Targets TikTok, Instagram, YouTube In Major Under-16 Social Media Ban
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced plans to introduce a sweeping ban on social media access for children under the age of 16, targeting major platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat, Facebook and X as part of a broader effort to improve child safety online.
Speaking on Monday, the Prime Minister disclosed that social media platforms were “making children unhappy” and exposing them to harmful and addictive content and further revealed that the government intends to formally prohibit access to the platforms for all users under 16.
The proposed legislation, which is expected to be passed by December and implemented in the spring of next year, would mark one of the most significant digital safety reforms in the United Kingdom in recent years.
Messaging services such as WhatsApp are expected to be exempt from the restrictions.
Beyond social media, the government is also considering stricter regulations for online gaming and live-streaming platforms, particularly those that allow children to interact with strangers.
Officials described the planned measures as “world-leading action” aimed at strengthening protections for young internet users.
Additional proposals under review include overnight usage curfews and limits on infinite scrolling features for users under 18. More details on the measures are expected to be released in July.
Starmer said the decision was influenced by developments in other countries, including Australia, which became the first nation to ban social media access for children under 16 in December.
Canada has also moved in a similar direction, with lawmakers recently introducing legislation to restrict under-16 access to social media and tighten controls on artificial intelligence chatbot content.
The announcement follows a government-led consultation involving teenagers, during which participants tested various social media restrictions and time-management tools across multiple platforms.
Reacting to the proposal, a YouTube spokesperson cautioned that a blanket ban could drive children toward “less safe services,” raising concerns about unintended consequences.
Defending the government’s position, Starmer argued that stronger safeguards are necessary to prevent children from interacting with unknown adults online.
He compared the issue to offline safety standards, noting that children would not ordinarily be allowed unrestricted contact with strangers in physical settings.
If approved, the measures would place the United Kingdom among a growing group of countries—including Australia, Canada, Indonesia and several European nations—seeking to impose tougher restrictions on children’s use of social media and other digital platforms.
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