The UK government confirmed that it is examining the Australian model closely as it considers how to determine exactly which platforms will fall under the restrictions. According to the press announcement, the government plans to use the same model for a social media ban as Australia, which would capture user-to-user platforms that enable social interaction and allow users to post material, alongside algorithms.
The ban will therefore include such platforms as Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and X. The government also confirmed that it does not intend for messaging services like WhatsApp and Signal to be included in the social media ban.
“Parents want to keep their kids safe and happy, but the online world has made that harder than ever,” said Prime Minister Keir Starmer. “I’ve heard first-hand from families crying out for change, and we will do right by them. That’s why we’re going further than any country in the world by banning social media for under-16s and putting wider protections in place to give kids their childhood back.”
In a move to protect children online and address the scale of the challenge, the government confirmed that it will also go further than a blanket ban on social media with what they described as “world-leading” blocks on harmful functions such as livestreaming and stranger communication with children for under-16s. These restrictions – which together with the ban go further than any other country – will apply to a wider range of online services, including online gaming sites.
Restrictions on these functionalities will also be on by default for under 16- and 17-year-olds to prevent a cliff-edge at 16. The government will also be looking in more detail at overnight curfews and breaks in infinite scrolling for under-18-year-olds and will set out more details in July 2026.
In addition, the so-called AI “romantic companion” chatbots – designed to simulate sexual relationships or roleplay with users – will have to enforce a minimum age of 18. Similar intimate functionalities will be restricted for under-18s on AI chatbots more widely.
The government says these measures will mean a much more comprehensive model than just a blanket ban on social media — one that responds to how children experience harm online, rather than just where it happens.
Furthermore, ministers will learn lessons from Australia’s experience by introducing more highly effective age assurance (HEAA) measures to support compliance, making it far harder for children to bypass safeguards.
“This is a line in the sand. Tech giants had their chance and failed, but we’re stepping in to protect children, back parents and set a new normal for future generations,” concluded the Prime Minister.
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