Under-16s Banned from Social Media, UK PM: Tech Giants Have Failed

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has officially announced a ban on social media access for children under the age of 16. Starting in spring 2027, millions of children in the UK will no longer be able to use TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, YouTube, and X. “This is a red line. The tech giants have had their chance and they have failed,” Starmer stressed on Monday (15/6/2026). The UK government considers that technology companies have failed to protect children from the increasingly alarming harmful effects of social media. In an official announcement published on Monday (15/6), the government stated that restrictions are imposed on platforms that enable social interaction between users and the dissemination of algorithm-based content. The policy sees the UK join a number of countries that have already taken similar steps, including Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, and France. It is not only social media that is being targeted. The UK government is also banning all live streaming activities for users under the age of 16 on various digital platforms. This measure is aimed at closing opportunities for direct contact between children and strangers that could potentially endanger their safety, including in online gaming environments. The new rules do not stop there. Artificial intelligence chatbots are also on the surveillance radar. The government requires developers of AI chatbots that simulate romantic, sexual, or intimate role-play relationships to implement a minimum age limit of 18 years. More broadly, conversations containing sexual content or intimate themes will be restricted for underage users. Concerns about the impact of technology on the mental health of the younger generation continue to grow. Consequently, the UK government is also opening specific research into nighttime social media use and the phenomenon of “infinite scrolling,” the habit of scrolling endlessly, which is considered capable of triggering digital addiction. The results of this research are targeted for completion by July 2026 and could form the basis for additional, stricter policies.