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UK to ban social media for under-16s, Starmer announces

Monday, June 15, 2026Confirmed

Politics Desk

What we know

Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced Monday that the UK will ban under-16s from major social media platforms, naming TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram and saying YouTube, Facebook and X would also be included. Technology Secretary Liz Kendall told the Commons the government would use secondary legislation so the first regulations could take effect in spring 2027, with a goal of passing rules before Christmas.

Messaging apps such as WhatsApp and Signal are exempt, as is YouTube Kids and Roblox as a platform, though livestreaming and stranger contact will be restricted for under-16s and switched off by default for 16- and 17-year-olds. Intimate AI chats will be banned for under-18s. Meta, Snap and YouTube warned a blanket ban could push teens toward less regulated spaces; campaigners including Smartphone Free Childhood welcomed the step.

What's confirmed

• Starmer: under-16 social media ban will happen; hope to pass regulation before Christmas; force spring 2027 (BBC/GOV.UK).
• Platforms cited: TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, X; WhatsApp/Signal and YouTube Kids exempt (BBC/GOV.UK).
• Kendall Commons statement Monday: livestream/stranger contact off for under-16s; default off for 16–17; intimate AI chats banned under-18 (GOV.UK).
• Consultation: >116,000 responses; ~90% of parent respondents backed an under-16 ban (BBC/GOV.UK).

What's still developing

• Full platform list and age-verification design before the Christmas legislative target.
• Whether Ofcom capacity and funding keep pace with enforcement from spring 2027.
• How U.S. platforms respond as Washington flags compliance-burden concerns.

Sources

• BBC News — Starmer announces social media ban for under-16s link
• GOV.UK — Social media to be banned for under-16s in landmark government move link
• GOV.UK — Liz Kendall statement on children and social media — 15 June 2026 link
• The Guardian — Social media firms hit back as Starmer announces ban for under-16s in UK link