Stop to Social Media for Under 16s: the UK Prepares to be Even More Restrictive than Australia

The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer, has announced the government's intention to introduce new legislation to ban social networks for under 16s in the country, following the example of other countries like Australia, but with the possibility of making the measure even more restrictive.

Stop to Social Media for British Adolescents

The first phase of the new regulation for social networks is expected to come into effect in the spring of 2027, meaning there is still time to assess what measures the British government will implement.

"We are banning social media access for under 16s. 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."
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer)
June 15, 2026

In addition to the ban for under 16s, there could also be measures aimed at teenagers aged 16 and 17. The legislation could include more restrictive measures such as a ban on the use of social media for all minors during the night and certain restrictions on infinite scrolling features, which encourage prolonged use of the platforms.

Starmer clarified that the UK intends to do more than any other country regarding the protection of minors online: "We are pushing beyond any other country in the world by banning social media for under 16s and introducing broader protective measures to give children their childhood back."

The legislation will be defined in the coming weeks, especially regarding the enforcement methods, where several uncertainties remain. Social media platforms will be directly involved and will need to establish effective methods to enforce the ban on usage for the younger audience. Further updates will certainly come soon.