International

UK Proposes Social Media Ban for Under-16s

Published on 17 Jun 2026

← Back to Current Affairs
UK Proposes Social Media Ban for Under-16s
  • United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced a landmark proposal to ban social media access for users under the age of 16. The move aims to protect children from online harms, cyberbullying, addictive features, harmful content, and mental health risks. If approved by Parliament, the legislation is expected to be enacted by the end of 2026 and come into force in early 2027.
  • Major platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, YouTube, and X will be affected, while private messaging apps such as WhatsApp and Signal will remain exempt. Additional safeguards on gaming, scrolling limits, and AI chatbots are also under consideration. The UK joins countries like Australia in imposing stricter age-based online regulations.
Source: SarkariPariksha