Britain unveils under-16 social media ban set for 2027 amid mixed reactions

The announcement

On Monday, Prime Minister Keir Starmer unveiled plans to ban social media for children under 16 in the UK, with legislation expected by Christmas and enforcement rolling out in spring 2027. The measures will cover platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube and Reddit, as well as some game platforms and livestreaming apps. Sixteen- and 17-year-olds will face additional restrictions, such as curfews, while messaging services like WhatsApp are set to be excluded.

“I am not prepared to compromise on the safety and happiness of our children, and that is why this ban must happen.”

Campaigners welcome the move

Advocates for children's online safety reacted positively. Isabelle Defaut, creator of the play Generation Fomo about social media's impact on mental health, described the news as "epic" and praised the government for supporting young people. Katie Finch, a regional leader of Smartphone Free Childhood, called the ban "excellent news and a significant step forward" that puts child safety first.

“I've been speaking to young people for two years and that's the whole reason I made the play. To hear our government will be supporting them is epic.”

Experts and officials raise concerns

Not everyone was optimistic. Scotland's Children's Commissioner Nicola Killean warned that a ban might shift responsibility away from tech platforms and push children toward riskier corners of the internet. She argued that firms should be forced to make their services suitable for minors rather than simply excluding them. Dr Robyn Muir, a media lecturer at the University of Surrey, cautioned that a blanket ban could undermine the development of media literacy and open dialogue with adults.

“Platforms should change so they are suitable for children, rather than children simply being banned from them.”

“A blanket ban will not support the development of either of those things.”

Parents divided over ban's impact

Parental reactions ranged from relief to concern. One mother writing in The Independent called the proposal a "huge relief", noting that citing the law would replace arguments with her young daughter who is already attached to YouTube. She admitted using iPads as a "digital nanny" and feared internet access was robbing children of their childhood. Yet another Independent columnist, Vix, recounted her teenage daughter's reaction: "Now we won't be able to talk to each other – or find out anything about the news." The daughter pointed out that the same government lowering the voting age to 16 at the next election is cutting off access to the very platforms where political engagement happens. Labour has argued that lowering the voting age aims to restore trust in democracy among youth, a goal that critics say a social media ban undermines.

International backdrop and legislative path

The UK follows Australia, which introduced a similar under-16 ban in late 2025. Starmer's proposal, described as "Australia-plus", will now face parliamentary scrutiny. The editorial in The Scotsman welcomed action but stressed that social media companies must not be "let off the hook" and that both legislation and firm regulation are needed.