As of early 2027, a new era will dawn for millions of UK children under the age of 16: one where social media platforms are off-limits. The Prime Minister's bold move to ban access to popular apps such as TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube is a landmark decision that promises to safeguard young people from online harms.
Sir Keir Starmer has made it clear that the government will not compromise on child safety, stating: "I am not prepared to compromise on the happiness of our children." The ban will come into force in spring 2027, with the necessary legislation set to be enacted before Christmas. While a full list of affected platforms remains undisclosed, Facebook and X have also been confirmed for inclusion.
Age verification measures will be introduced for individuals aged 16 and over to ensure compliance with the new regulations. However, many adults may not need to undergo new verification processes if their accounts are already associated with a credit card, have been active for over 16 years, or have verified email addresses through other means.
Certain online services will be exempt from the blanket ban. Messaging applications like WhatsApp and Signal, along with the online gaming platform Roblox, will remain accessible to under-16s. Nevertheless, specific functionalities within these platforms, such as livestreaming and direct contact from strangers, will be restricted for younger users. YouTube Kids is also explicitly excluded from the prohibition.
The government is exploring additional restrictions for 16 and 17-year-olds, including limitations on features like 'infinite scroll' and the introduction of curfews, alongside a ban on intimate and sexual chats with AI for under-18s.
Campaign groups like Smartphone Free Childhood have welcomed the announcement, with co-founder Joe Ryrie stating it is a "major step forward" that will give millions of children more time to develop before engaging with online environments not designed for their wellbeing. However, major tech companies have voiced concerns, arguing that a comprehensive ban risks isolating teenagers from online communities and information.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall countered these concerns by asserting the measures would "take power away from the tech giants, who have had countless opportunities to keep children safe." The ban follows increasing pressure from campaigners and bereaved parents who attribute their children's deaths to various online harms. Esther Ghey, whose daughter Brianna was tragically killed in 2023, expressed her relief at the announcement, believing it could "potentially save lives" in the future.