UK Government announces social media ban for under-16s

Date: 15th June 2026
Category: Violence against children, Civil Rights and Freedoms, General principles

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A statement by the Prime Minister and accompanying press release revealed the UK Government’s intention to introduce a blanket ban on social media for under-16s. The announcement on 15th June 2026 came less than three weeks after the conclusion of a national consultation seeking views on various measures to keep children and young people safe online.  

In addition to a social media ban, the consultation invited the public to voice their opinions on changes to the age of digital consent, restrictions on addictive technologies such as ‘infinite scrolling’, and limitations on VPN usage, amongst other proposals intended to bolster online safety.  

Following the model used in Australia, where under-16s have been barred from accessing social media platforms since December 2025, the UK Government plans to implement a social media ban by spring 2027. Such a ban would capture ‘user-to-user' apps such as Instagram, Tiktok, and Snapchat, but exclude YouTube Kids and messaging apps such as WhatsApp and Signal. Under-16s will also be prevented from accessing certain online functionalities, such as livestreaming and communicating with strangers, while 16- and 17-year-olds may be subject to nightly curfews and limits on infinite scrolling, more information on which is expected in July.  

Together has echoed concerns raised by the Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland about the UK Government’s decision. Our response to the consultation urged the UK Government to strike the appropriate balance between protection and autonomy, and the opportunities and risks that come with social media and online platforms. Commenting on the ineffectiveness of age assurance technologies, the disproportionate impacts that a ban could have on certain groups of children and young people, and the importance of education in building digital literacy skills for both children and parents, we called on the UK Government to engage with young people to develop a nuanced approach that would respect, protect, and fulfil children’s rights in the digital environment. 

A blanket ban will not achieve this; it fails to tackle the root causes of online harms and risks pushing young people towards less regulated platforms. A blanket ban also runs counter to the rights, views and lived experiences of children and young people, who have acknowledged the risks of social media while recognising the role it can play in creating opportunities, facilitating interpersonal connection, and fulfilling their rights to education, play, and freedom of expression, amongst myriad others. The ban is neither an effective nor rights-respecting way forward. 

It is expected that reforms could be in place as early as spring 2027. Prior to this, Together will continue to call for the UK Government to conduct a Child Rights Impact Assessment (CRIA) to assess the compatibility of its proposals with children’s rights standards and international obligations, and identify mitigations where necessary. In an increasingly digital world, any legislative and policy changes should align with the rights, needs, and interests of children and young people across the UK, and equip them to navigate online life safely, confidently, and responsibly. 

To read our full consultation response, please visit our website here. For more information about the consultation, please click here.