16/06/2026
🇬🇧 THE UNITED KINGDOM IS TIGHTENING SOCIAL MEDIA REGULATION FOR CHILDREN UNDER 16 – PROPOSAL TO RESTRICT MAJOR PLATFORMS
Yesterday (June 15), Prime Minister Keir Starmer made it official: social media platforms will be blocked from offering services to anyone under 16 in the United Kingdom.
📵 Banned: TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat, Facebook, X
✅ Not included: WhatsApp, Signal (messaging apps)
But the UK isn't stopping at a blanket ban — they're going further than any other country:
• Livestreaming blocked for under-16s across all platforms
• Strangers contacting children restricted (including in gaming)
• Harmful features turned OFF by default for 16–17 year olds
• Overnight curfews & infinite scroll breaks for under-18s currently under review
• AI "romantic companion" chatbots restricted to 18+
📅 Expected to come into force: Spring 2027
The numbers behind the decision: over 116,000 parents, children and experts responded to the national consultation — 9 in 10 parents backed the ban.
Starmer's words: "Tech giants had their chance and failed. We're stepping in to protect children and set a new normal for future generations."
The UK is following Australia's lead — the first country to implement this kind of ban back in December 2025. Canada, Brazil, Indonesia, France, South Korea... the list of countries moving in this direction keeps growing.
📌 Source: gov.uk (UK Government) — June 15, 2026