Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is poised to announce a significant ban on children under the age of 16 accessing major social media platforms, including popular sites like TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram. The government's forthcoming measures will also prevent children from livestreaming on safer platforms and restrict their ability to interact with strangers on gaming applications. While discussions are ongoing regarding potential social media curfews for younger users, further details are expected to be released next month.

The move positions the UK to follow in the footsteps of Australia, which implemented the world's first outright ban on social media for under-16s in December 2025. Sources within the government are reportedly describing the UK's initiative, set to be unveiled by Sir Keir on Monday morning, as an "Australia-plus" approach, suggesting a potentially more comprehensive set of regulations.

Sir Keir framed the policy as a critical choice between supporting families and maintaining a "status quo that isn't working." He stated his intention to "call time on a system that's failing our kids" and emphasized the government's commitment to prioritizing children's safety and well-being. The announcement follows a government consultation that indicated a majority of respondents supported a ban for under-16s, though some campaigners have voiced concerns that such broad measures could inadvertently create new problems.

The proposed ban is expected to cover the same ten platforms that are currently prohibited for under-16s in Australia, according to reports. These include TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, YouTube, Reddit, Twitch, X, Threads, Facebook, and Kick. The UK's proposed regulations may extend beyond Australia's by introducing additional measures such as curfews for older teenagers and restrictions on AI chatbots.

This announcement comes two weeks after the closure of the government's three-month consultation on the issue. The consultation explored various options, including an outright ban, as well as less restrictive interventions aimed at enhancing online safety for children. The government has indicated that it is taking "bold action" to ensure children have the "best possible start in life."

The debate surrounding online safety for children has intensified in recent years, with significant attention paid to the potential harms associated with early and unsupervised access to social media. Concerns range from exposure to inappropriate content and cyberbullying to the impact on mental health and development.

While the government aims to address these concerns through legislative action, the specifics of enforcement and the potential impact on tech companies remain key areas for further clarification. The response from industry stakeholders and child welfare organizations is also anticipated as the full details of the policy are revealed.

Questions persist about the practicalities of implementing such a ban, including age verification processes and the potential for circumvention. The government's approach will be closely watched to see how effectively it balances the goal of protecting children with the complexities of the digital landscape.