UK Announces Social Media Restrictions for Under-16s Starting Spring 2027

Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Monday that Britain will require social media platforms to prevent children under 16 from accessing their services beginning in spring 2027. The measure applies to TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and X. WhatsApp, Signal and YouTube Kids are not covered by the requirement.

Platforms that do not take reasonable steps to restrict under-16 access could face fines. The announcement followed a government consultation that drew 116,000 responses. More than 90 percent of respondents supported restricting access for this age group. Starmer said he plans to raise the policy with President Donald Trump and other leaders at the G7 summit beginning Monday in France.

Australia introduced a similar restriction last year. Canada, Brazil and Indonesia have introduced or proposed comparable measures. France, Spain, Denmark, Thailand and South Korea are examining similar steps. A YouTube spokesperson said a blanket restriction could direct children to anonymous and less regulated services.

The U.S. Embassy in London stated that any regulation should be narrowly tailored, avoid infringing free speech protections, and limit additional burdens on technology companies.

The government has not named the specific platforms that will be required to implement age-assurance measures or detailed the technical standards they must meet. Enforcement details, including how compliance will be assessed and by which agency, have not been specified in the announcement.