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According to the proposal, children under 16 will be prohibited from using platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, YouTube, and X. Messaging services such as WhatsApp and Signal are expected to remain exempt from the ban.

Starmer described the move as a major effort to protect children from harmful online content, addictive algorithms, cyberbullying, and contact with strangers. The government also plans to introduce restrictions on livestreaming, stranger communication, and certain features on gaming platforms for minors.

The proposed regulations would place responsibility on technology companies to verify users’ ages and prevent underage access. Britain’s communications regulator, Ofcom, is expected to receive additional powers and funding to enforce the new rules. Companies that fail to comply could face significant penalties.

The government hopes to pass the necessary regulations before the end of the year, with the restrictions expected to take effect in early 2027. A full government response outlining additional details is scheduled to be released next month.

The announcement follows a nationwide consultation that drew more than 116,000 responses, with government officials reporting overwhelming support among parents for raising the minimum age for social media access to 16.

While supporters hailed the proposal as a landmark step to protect children online, critics and technology companies have questioned how effectively the ban can be enforced and warned that some teenagers may attempt to bypass restrictions through alternative platforms or workarounds.

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