UK government announces under-16 social media ban (Spring 2027 target)

The UK government’s fact sheet on new rules to protect children online records a plan to ban social media for under-16s, using a model similar to Australia’s (platforms named as examples: Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat, Facebook and X). Messaging services such as WhatsApp and Signal are not intended to be included.

Timing and related duties

The fact sheet states the first set of Regulations will be laid before the end of the year, with changes implemented in Spring 2027. High-risk features including livestreaming and strangers contacting children will also be restricted for under-16s on other online services like gaming, backed by stronger age-check requirements. For 16- and 17-year-olds, livestreaming and stranger communication (including in gaming) are to be switched off by default; overnight curfews (midnight–6am), notification switches, and default-off autoplay/personalised feeds are described for the same social platforms covered by the under-16 ban.

Parents and children “do not need to do anything right now”; further detail is promised ahead of 2027. Ofcom is to set out age-assurance options.

Operator action

This is not yet a finished statutory instrument. Do not invent which game UGC platforms are in or out of the social-media definition until the Regulations define them.

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Research checked 20 September 2026. Local draft; human editorial review pending.