Key facts
- UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer plans to ban social media access for children under 16.
- Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, Facebook, and X will be affected.
- Messaging and music streaming services will be exempt from the ban.
- Enforcement will target platforms, not individual children.
- Ofcom will lead age verification efforts.
- The ban is targeted for implementation early next year.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced plans to ban social media platforms for children under 16, aiming to "give kids their childhood back." The proposed measures will also include restrictions on gaming and livestreaming platforms.
The ban will encompass social media sites designed for user-to-user interaction and algorithmic content posting, including platforms such as Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and X. Messaging services like WhatsApp and music streaming services are not intended to be included, and exemptions will be subject to review.
Enforcement of the ban will focus on social media companies rather than penalizing children who attempt to circumvent the restrictions. The government has tasked regulator Ofcom with conducting a rapid study to determine the most effective methods for age verification and will provide new enforcement strategies and funding.