Overview
- Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the policy at Downing Street on Monday, saying children under 16 will be barred from specified social platforms and that companies, not families, will carry enforcement obligations.
- The ban targets user-to-user sites such as TikTok, Instagram, Threads, Facebook, X, YouTube, Snapchat and Reddit while excluding encrypted messaging apps like WhatsApp and Signal from the blanket cut‑off.
- Officials also plan tighter controls on AI chatbots—restricting romantic or sexual companion features—and rules to stop strangers contacting children on gaming and live‑streaming services.
- The government has ordered Ofcom and technical studies to test age‑assurance options because experts warn verification, VPNs, encryption and past Australian enforcement gaps could let many underage users bypass the rules.
- A national consultation with about 116,000 responses showed strong parental support for raising the minimum age to 16, but campaigners, charities and the US embassy cautioned the ban may not fix product design harms or could burden companies and limit educational access.