The UK government is preparing to block children under 16 from using social media, in what would be one of the strictest online safety moves in the world.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the plan on Monday, June 15, 2026, saying platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and X will be off-limits to under-16s. The ban is part of a wider push to protect kids from what the government calls the harms of constant online access.

Starmer said the decision came down to giving children back their childhood. He argued that social media is eating into sleep, focus at school, and mental wellbeing, while also opening the door to strangers and unsafe content. The government’s plan goes beyond just blocking apps. Gaming sites and livestreaming platforms will also have to stop under-16s from chatting with people they don’t know. Even romantic or sexual AI chatbots will be banned for anyone under 18. Messaging services like WhatsApp and Signal, however, will not be included.

The new rules could be in place by spring 2027, with full regulations expected before the end of this year. The UK already has legal tools to start the process under its Online Safety Act. Tech companies will be forced to bring in strong age checks and disable features that put kids at risk. If they fail, they could face penalties similar to Australia’s recent A$49.5 million fines.

The move puts the UK in line with Australia, which banned under-16s from social media in December 2025, though Britain’s version adds extra steps around gaming and AI. Canada, Brazil, and Indonesia have also introduced age-based limits, while countries like France and South Korea are looking at similar laws.

Public support in the UK appears strong. A government consultation that drew 116,000 responses found that nine in ten parents support a ban, with most saying the risks of social media for kids outweigh the benefits.

Starmer made it clear he expects pushback from tech firms but won’t shift his stance. He said he is not prepared to compromise on the safety and happiness of children.