Switching-off: the UK’s social media ban for children
The UK government is moving forward with significant new restrictions on social media access for young people, the latest and most significant development in the government’s ongoing mission to improve digital safety for children. As per the Prime Minister’s 15 June announcement, these measures aim to limit access to specific platforms for those under 16, as well as restricting addictive and harmful features for under 18s. The changes will be made by utilising existing legislative frameworks to expedite implementation.
At the heart of the new policy is a comprehensive ban on social media platforms for children under 16. The scope of this restriction is likely to rely on the existing definition of user-to-user services under the Online Safety Act, specifically targeting such services designed for social interaction that combine user-generated content with algorithmic feeds.
It is also important to note that the government has signalled specific exemptions to these rules: messaging services like WhatsApp and Signal, as well as educational tools and music streaming platforms, will remain accessible to under-16s, ensuring that communication and learning tools are preserved.
To bypass the lengthy process of introducing new primary legislation, the government is exercising powers granted under the recently enacted Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act. This approach allows the Secretary of State to implement targeted amendments to the Online Safety Act 2023. By leveraging existing concepts within the Act—such as definitions for user-to-user services and requirements for highly effective age assurance—the government intends to establish a robust legal foundation for these changes without starting from scratch.
The policy also proposes sweeping feature restrictions across social and gaming applications to enhance safety. Livestreaming will be completely blocked for users under 16 to mitigate risks associated with real-time moderation challenges and potential abuse. Furthermore, communication with unknown users will be disabled by default for younger demographics, a move aimed at protecting kids from stranger danger. Beyond outright bans, the government is also reviewing addictive design elements, specifically looking at the implementation of overnight curfews and mandatory breaks in “infinite scroll” features for all users under 18.
Looking ahead, the implementation timeline is set to accelerate in the coming months. Regulations are expected to be laid in Parliament by late 2026, with a target date for full enforcement across the UK by Spring 2027. A critical component of this rollout will be the introduction of updated “Highly Effective Age Assurance” (HEAA) standards. While specific technical requirements are still being finalised, these standards are likely to be based on the existing guidelines for HEAA standards applicable to ‘Part 3’ services under the OSA, meaning they should give a choice between facial age estimation technologies and the requirement for users to produce official identification.
For parents, educators, and industry stakeholders, these updates represent a transformative period in digital policy. By combining legislative speed with stringent feature and access controls, the UK is clearly prioritising a more tightly regulated digital environment for the next generation. As the 2027 deadline approaches, organisations will need to prepare for significant compliance shifts to align with these new, stringent standards.
