The UK government has announced plans to ban children under the age of 16 from accessing social media platforms, marking one of the most significant online safety reforms proposed in the country in recent years.
Announcing the policy, Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the decision as a “big moment for our country” and a “big step” for children and future generations. He argued that social media can contribute to online abuse, expose young people to harmful content, and encourage excessive use through features that are “designed to be addictive”.
Starmer said the government was acting in response to growing concerns about children’s wellbeing online, adding that social media companies would be responsible for enforcing the restrictions. He acknowledged that some young people may attempt to bypass the rules but maintained that this was not a reason to avoid regulation.
The proposed legislation would require major social media platforms to block access for under-16s, while Ofcom would oversee enforcement. The government hopes to introduce the measures later in 2026, with implementation expected in spring 2027.
ℹ️ GOV.UK, The Guardian
Follow on social media TikTok@tut0ughInstagram@tut0ugh Threads@tut0ugh X@tut0ugh YouTube@tut0ugh
tut0ugh 