Key facts
- UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a ban on social media for those under 16.
- The ban is slated to take effect in early 2027.
- Platforms including TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and X will be affected.
- Messaging services like WhatsApp and Signal are exempt.
- AI chatbots marketed as 'romantic companions' will be restricted to users over 18.
- The government is also considering overnight curfews and infinite scroll breaks for under-18s.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that the government will ban social media use for individuals under 16, with the new regulations expected to take effect in early 2027. The move aims to enhance online safety and protect children's mental health, with Starmer stating that social media is making children unhappy and exposing them to dangerous content.
The ban will affect platforms such as TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and X. Messaging services like WhatsApp and Signal will be exempt. Additionally, AI 'romantic companion' chatbots will be restricted to users over 18.
The government plans to pass the necessary regulations before Christmas, with the new protections anticipated to be in force by spring 2027. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology is also examining overnight curfews and breaks in infinite scrolling for under-18s, with further details to be released in July.