UK bans children from using social media

Australia and Canada have already taken similar steps

London (United Kingdom) – The United Kingdom has now announced a ban on the use of social media by children under the age of 16, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said. The British Government hopes to implement the ban from the beginning of next year.

“We hope to approve the relevant regulations before Christmas and then bring the ban into effect early next year, possibly around spring,” Prime Minister Starmer said on 15 June. As part of discussions on child safety, Prime Minister Starmer held a meeting with leading social media executives on 16 April 2026.