Details
- Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the government plans to pass regulations before Christmas, with the ban taking effect in spring 2027.
- The UK plans to use a model similar to Australia’s under-16 social media ban, part of a wider international push to restrict children’s access to major platforms.
- Roblox will not be banned, but some high-risk features on gaming and online services will be restricted for under-16s, including livestreaming and contact from strangers.
- The government is also considering limits on features such as infinite scroll and curfews for 16 and 17-year-olds.
- Stronger age-verification rules will be introduced, though many adults may not need new checks if their age can already be verified through existing account details.
- Intimate or sexual chats with AI systems will also be banned for under-18s.
- Ministers said the policy follows a national consultation that received more than 116,000 responses, with around 90% of participating parents backing a ban for under-16s.
- Meta, Snapchat and YouTube criticised the proposal, warning that blanket bans could isolate teenagers and drive them toward less regulated online services.
- Child-safety campaigners and some bereaved parents welcomed the move, while children’s commissioners and digital rights advocates questioned whether it would be effective or enforceable.
What Else
The government will publish detailed regulations later this year, while Ofcom is expected to set age-verification standards before the 2027 rollout. The next debate will focus on enforcement, privacy and whether blanket bans shift too much responsibility away from tech companies.
