By Ghazali Ibrahim
The United Kingdom has announced plans to ban children under the age of 16 from accessing major social media platforms, becoming the latest country to impose strict restrictions on young people’s use of digital platforms amid growing concerns over online safety and mental health.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer unveiled the proposal on Monday, describing it as a landmark measure aimed at protecting children from harmful content, online predators and addictive digital features.
The policy is expected to prevent under-16s from using major social media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Facebook, X and YouTube.
The move follows a nationwide consultation that attracted more than 116,000 responses, with the government saying about nine in 10 parents supported stronger restrictions on children’s access to social media.
Under the proposed rules, children under 16 will be barred from accessing designated social media platforms, while additional safeguards will restrict livestreaming, communication with strangers and certain artificial intelligence chatbots for minors.
The government is also considering measures to curb addictive features such as infinite scrolling and late-night usage.
The restrictions form part of what officials have described as an “Australia-plus” approach, referencing Australia’s pioneering legislation that banned social media access for under-16s.
The UK government said technology companies would be required to implement robust age-verification systems to enforce the rules.
Starmer said the measures were necessary to give children a safer online environment and help parents navigate the challenges posed by increasingly powerful social media algorithms.
The proposal, however, has sparked debate among technology experts and civil liberties advocates.
Critics argue that enforcing the ban could prove difficult and may push teenagers towards less regulated online spaces. Others have raised concerns about privacy implications linked to age-verification requirements.
If implemented, the UK will join a growing list of countries that have introduced or proposed restrictions on social media access for minors, including Australia, Indonesia, France, Spain and China. Governments in those countries have cited concerns over cyberbullying, online exploitation, screen addiction and the impact of social media on young people’s mental health.
The proposed ban is expected to be phased in from 2027, subject to parliamentary approval and the completion of regulatory frameworks governing age verification and enforcement.
