UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on June 15, 2026, that the UK will prohibit children under the age of 16 from using major social media platforms, including TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube. The ban will also apply to Instagram, Facebook, and X, while messaging services like WhatsApp and Signal, as well as YouTube Kids, will be exempt. The restrictions are expected to take effect early next year, with companies facing substantial penalties for non-compliance.
Starmer stated that the government has a responsibility to protect children, acknowledging that some teenagers may attempt to bypass the rules. He cited concerns from parents regarding the negative impact of social media on children’s well-being. According to the government, over 90% of respondents in a public consultation supported the under-16 ban, which received 116,000 responses.
The UK’s initiative aligns with a growing international trend to limit children's access to social media, following similar actions in Australia and proposals in countries like Canada, Brazil, and Indonesia. The enforcement will focus on technology companies rather than the children themselves. A spokesperson from YouTube expressed concerns that such restrictions could lead children to less safe online environments. The U.S. Embassy in London emphasized the need for regulations to respect free speech protections and avoid imposing excessive burdens on American tech companies. Starmer plans to discuss the matter with world leaders at the upcoming G7 summit in France.