Background on the Proposed Restrictions

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is preparing to announce measures targeting access to harmful social media platforms for children under the age of 16. The approach focuses on restricting platforms deemed harmful while preserving access to safer alternatives, according to reports from early June 2026.

This development follows a national consultation launched earlier in the year that explored options including age restrictions, limits on addictive design features such as infinite scrolling, and enhanced parental support tools. The consultation closed in late May 2026 after receiving over 116,000 responses.

Details of the Expected Announcement

Starmer is scheduled to outline the plans in a speech, drawing on discussions with families who have lost children to online harms. Government sources indicate the prime minister intends to confront technology companies directly to safeguard young people. A full formal ban is not expected immediately, with initial steps possibly addressing the production and sharing of sexualised images that can lead to exploitation.

The strategy builds on the existing Online Safety Act, which already obliges platforms to protect children from illegal and harmful content. The new measures aim to go further by limiting exposure at the account level for younger users on risky services.

Lessons from Australia’s Approach

The UK is examining Australia’s experience, where a minimum age of 16 for certain social media platforms took effect on 10 December 2025. Under the Australian law, major platforms including Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Snapchat, X and others must take reasonable steps to prevent under-16s from creating or maintaining accounts. Penalties for non-compliance can reach A$49.5 million. By mid-December 2025, platforms had removed access to approximately 4.7 million under-16 accounts.

Australia’s framework emphasises platform responsibility rather than penalties for children or parents. It is not an outright prohibition with enforcement against individuals but requires age-assurance measures such as activity inference or identity verification. Regulators worldwide are monitoring the outcomes closely.

Learn more about Australia’s social media age restrictions from the eSafety Commissioner.

Photo by Nem Malosi on Unsplash

Stakeholder Perspectives and Public Debate

Campaigners and bereaved families have pressed for decisive action, highlighting cases where social media contributed to mental health crises. Some experts support targeted restrictions on platforms with high-risk features, while others caution against blanket measures that could limit beneficial online interactions.

Young people have expressed mixed views, with some opposing broad restrictions that might hinder social connections or access to support communities. British teenagers interviewed in recent months voiced concerns about enforcement practicality and potential workarounds.

Technology companies face pressure to improve safety features, with the government signalling willingness to impose stricter obligations. International observers note similar considerations in countries such as France, Denmark, Poland and Greece, the latter planning a ban for under-15s from 2027.

Potential Impacts on Children and Families

Proponents argue that limiting access to harmful platforms could reduce exposure to cyberbullying, explicit content and addictive design elements. Data from various studies indicate that a notable proportion of UK children aged 8-15 who use social media have encountered cyberbullying, with figures around 27 percent in some reports.

Concerns also centre on excessive screen time correlating with sleep disruption, anxiety and body image issues. The proposed measures seek to create space for healthier digital habits while recognising that not all online activity carries the same risks.

Families may benefit from clearer guidelines and tools, though implementation details such as age verification methods remain under discussion. A balanced approach could support positive uses of technology, such as educational resources or moderated communities.

Implementation Challenges and Enforcement

Enforcing age restrictions presents technical and practical hurdles. Platforms must develop effective age-assurance systems without unduly burdening users or compromising privacy. Workarounds, including the use of virtual private networks or shared accounts, are already being discussed by some young people.

Government sources emphasise that any rules will target harmful platforms specifically rather than imposing a universal prohibition. This nuanced stance aims to maintain access to lower-risk services while addressing the most concerning aspects of social media design and content.

Collaboration with industry, parents and educators will be essential for success. Ongoing monitoring and adjustments based on real-world outcomes are expected as part of the policy rollout.

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International Context and Broader Trends

The UK move aligns with a growing global conversation about children’s online safety. Australia’s pioneering legislation has prompted reviews in multiple jurisdictions. European nations are weighing similar steps, focusing on both age gates and restrictions on risky functionalities like livestreaming or location sharing.

Existing UK legislation provides a foundation, but the consultation highlighted the need for additional tools to address addictive features and support parents. The government has committed to swift action following the consultation period.

Review the UK government’s national consultation on growing up in the online world.

Future Outlook and Next Steps

Following the announcement, detailed guidance on which platforms qualify as harmful and how compliance will be measured is anticipated. The government plans to publish further analysis of consultation responses in summer 2026.

Longer-term effects will depend on platform responses, technological solutions for age verification, and cultural shifts in digital habits. Continued dialogue among policymakers, families, experts and industry will shape refinements to the policy.

Starmer’s administration positions the measures as part of a broader effort to ensure technology delivers positive outcomes for society, particularly for the youngest users.

Read the full Reuters report on the planned announcement.

Explore BBC coverage of Starmer’s meetings with families affected by social media harms.