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Under-16s will be banned from social media from early 2027
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Millions of children in the UK will be forced off social media after the government announced it would ban under-16s from accessing a range of platforms.
Key facts
- In April, a survey from the Molly Rose Foundation said 61% of 12-15 year-olds who had accounts on restricted platforms before the ban still had access to one or more accounts
- The government will also look at restrictions on some functionalities on social media, such as infinite scroll and curfews, for 16 and 17-year-olds
- The Trump administration has not reacted to the announcement, but earlier this month, the US State Department said it welcomed the opportunity to contribute to the UK's consultation and called
- We have concerns about regulations that impose disproportionate compliance burdens on American companies or that apply to one platform but not similar services," the US Mission to the UK said dated
Summary
Apps including TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram will become inaccessible for children, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said. "We hope to pass regulation before Christmas," he said, with the ban coming into force in spring 2027. Tech companies including Meta, Snapchat and YouTube warned a blanket ban would move children into more unsafe online environments. "I am not prepared to compromise on the safety and happiness of our children, and that is why this ban must happen, and why this ban will happen," Sir Keir said.