Britain’s biggest digital shake-up: Under-16s set to lose access to TikTok, Instagram and more
New rules could reshape how young users interact online
DUBAI/LONDON – Britain is set to introduce one of the world’s toughest social media restrictions, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer announcing plans to block access for users under the age of 16.
The proposed measures will cover major platforms including TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, Snapchat and X, while also targeting online gaming and livestreaming services where children can interact with strangers. Starmer said the move was aimed at improving children’s safety and giving young people more time away from digital pressures.
I am simply not prepared to be a bystander when the safety and happiness of our children are at stake.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) June 15, 2026
We will ban social media access for under 16s, and give children their childhoods back.
Read more about it here: https://t.co/oqX7ufHB4R pic.twitter.com/3ZxmVFG0OY
The prime minister said the government believed a complete ban was the right approach, arguing that stronger protections were needed as concerns grow over children’s online experiences. The restrictions are expected to be introduced by next spring, supported by new regulations due by the end of the year and existing powers under Britain’s online safety framework.
Wider rules?
The proposals go beyond measures introduced by Australia, which became the first country to introduce a social media ban for children. Britain’s plans would also include controls on gaming platforms, livestreaming features and services that allow unknown adults to contact young users.
The government said platforms covered by the ban would include Snapchat, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and X, but messaging services such as WhatsApp and Signal would not be included. Officials are also considering additional restrictions for under-18s, including possible overnight limits and measures aimed at reducing features such as endless scrolling.
Starmer said the government wanted to introduce “world-leading blocks” to prevent children from being exposed to unsafe online interactions, particularly situations where adults can contact young users without safeguards.
Response from tech giants
Technology companies have pushed back against a blanket ban, warning it could drive young people towards less regulated online spaces. YouTube said it had spent years developing age-appropriate experiences and safety features for younger users, arguing that restrictions could push children away from supervised environments.
Snapchat said most of its teenage users’ activity involved private communication with friends and family, adding that a complete ban could remove access to those connections. Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, said restrictions could lead young people towards alternative platforms without similar safety tools or parental controls.
The proposed changes are also expected to require wider age verification systems across social media platforms. Britain’s communications regulator Ofcom, which has already introduced age checks for adult content websites, said it was prepared to support the process.
Debate continues
While many parents and politicians have backed tighter controls, some researchers have questioned whether a full ban would achieve its intended impact. Experts have raised concerns about enforcement, with Australia’s experience showing that teenagers have continued finding ways around age restrictions.
Researchers have also highlighted concerns over privacy, with campaign groups warning that expanded age verification could require users to provide sensitive information such as identity documents, facial scans or financial details.
The government has not yet confirmed the exact technology that will be used to verify ages. Possible methods could include email-based checks, facial age estimation, credit card verification or other forms of digital identification.