Prime Minister Keir Starmer unveiled a UK law that will bar anyone under 16 from using services starting in 2027. The measure targets platforms whose purpose is social interaction, including Snapchat, TikTok and Instagram. Messaging apps such as WhatsApp and Signal are exempt, and existing age‑gate rules at 13 stay unchanged. The government says the step aims to shield children from mental‑health harms and online predators.

The ban exceeds Australia’s recent restrictions, also prohibiting under‑16s from livestreaming and from receiving stranger contact on gaming services. Those controls will apply by default to users under 17 to avoid a sudden “cliff‑edge” at 16. The government also orders romantic‑companion chatbots to enforce an 18‑plus rule and limits AI‑driven intimate features for minors. The communications regulator will monitor compliance and levy penalties for breaches.

A consultation titled “Growing Up in the Online World” recorded 90 percent parental support for a minimum‑age rule. Starmer aims to pass the legislation before Christmas, targeting a spring 2027 rollout. If enacted, the under‑16 ban will reshape how British teens engage online and force platforms to redesign age‑verification and interaction tools.