UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has unveiled plans to implement a social media ban for individuals under the age of 16. The government aims to enact this regulation before the upcoming Christmas period, with the ban slated to become effective by spring 2027. This policy intends to cover major platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter/X, Snapchat, and Instagram, while excluding direct messaging applications like WhatsApp and Signal.
Starmer stated in a televised address that a comprehensive ban is the appropriate course of action, emphasizing a commitment to the safety and happiness of children. The proposed legislation also includes blocking livestreaming capabilities for those under 16. This aspect could necessitate adjustments to the policies of gaming consoles offered by Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft within the UK. Similarly, platforms like Twitch might be required to modify their services to ensure compliance, though the specific application to video games remains somewhat vague in the announcement.
The UK's proposed ban follows a similar measure enacted in Australia in December of the previous year. The trend appears to be expanding globally, with Portugal and Spain potentially introducing comparable bans in the near future. Denmark has already set the age limit at 15, and several U.S. states have passed similar legislation, though these are currently facing legal challenges.
“We are banning social media access for under 16s,” Starmer commented. “These days kids must find their feet in a world where technology intrudes into every area of their life. I just can’t let that go on anymore. So we’re giving children their childhoods back.”
The government is also exploring the enforcement of overnight curfews and mandatory breaks from infinite scrolling features for individuals under 18. According to the government, these restrictions, which are described as more extensive than those in any other country, will extend to a broader array of online services, including those related to gaming. Defaults for age-restricted functionalities are expected to be set to prevent a sudden shift at the age of 16, and further details on overnight curfews and scrolling breaks for under-18s are anticipated in July.
Additionally, a minimum age of 18 will be enforced for chatbots designed to simulate romantic or sexual relationships. Other chatbots will be required to implement similar age restrictions on features simulating intimate interactions.