UK government will bar anyone under 16 from accessing social platforms when the rules start in spring 2027. The list covers Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and X, while messaging apps such as WhatsApp and Signal stay exempt. Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the move a stringent child‑online protection worldwide, and the policy follows a consultation that drew 116,000 responses and mirrors Australia’s penalty‑based model.

To enforce the under‑16 ban, platforms must implement age‑verification systems overseen by Ofcom, which will publish guidance on acceptable methods, including possible facial‑recognition checks. The government also plans default blocks on livestreaming and stranger‑contact features for under‑16s, extending the restrictions to 16‑ and 17‑year‑olds to avoid a sudden cutoff at the birthday, and the regulator will also audit compliance annually.

Critics warn that teens will turn to VPNs or unregulated apps, undermining privacy and exposing them to worse content. Industry players such as YouTube and Meta argue the blanket ban pushes young users away from moderated environments. With the framework slated for final detail in July, the UK will soon test whether age‑based blocks can curtail online harms significantly.