Social Media Restrictions: What Under 16s Can’t Access

The UK Government has made a groundbreaking decision to impose a ban on social media for those under 16, including some of the most popular mobile applications.

According to the announcement, the Government aims to grant children their childhood back, promoting less screen time and more time for recreational activities.

The ban is not immediate, with plans to introduce it to Parliament before Christmas and implement it in spring 2027. The affected apps confirmed by the ban include:

• TikTok
• YouTube
• Instagram
• Facebook
• X (formerly Twitter)
• Snapchat

Messaging platforms such as WhatsApp and Signal will not be subject to the ban. However, several other apps remain in uncertainty, including:

• Bsky (Bluesky)
• Threads
• Telegram
• Discord
• Twitch
• Vimeo
• Reddit
• Pinterest
• Tumblr
• Meetup
• BeReal

Further details are awaited as the Government plans to implement more than just a blanket ban on social media, including world-leading restrictions on harmful functions and stranger interactions with minors under 16.

These restrictions will also extend to a broader range of online services, including gaming platforms. While most dating apps already require users to be 18 or older, there are also regulations concerning AI ‘romantic companion’ chatbots, with a minimum age requirement of 18.

The Government has not addressed the issue of teenagers potentially bypassing the ban using VPNs.