UK to ban social media for kids under 16, may impose overnight curfews

The UK government has revealed plans to implement a comprehensive ban on social media usage for children under 16, with the new regulations projected to take effect in the spring of 2027. This landmark decision will affect major platforms such as Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and X. Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated, "We’re going further than any country in the world by banning social media for under-16s and putting wider protections in place to give kids their childhood back." Alongside the social media prohibition, the government is set to introduce stringent measures against potentially harmful features, including livestreaming and communication with strangers. These restrictions will not only be enforced for those under 16 but will also apply by default to 16- and 17-year-olds, aiming to ensure a smoother transition into adulthood without abrupt changes in access to online services. The regulations will extend to various online activities, including gaming. Additionally, the government is considering the implementation of overnight curfews and interruptions in infinite scrolling for individuals under 18, with further details expected to be shared in July. Notably, messaging platforms like WhatsApp and Signal will be exempt from this ban. In a related move, AI 'romantic companion' chatbots, which are designed for simulated sexual interactions, will be required to enforce a minimum age of 18. The regulations will also limit similar features for chatbots aimed at users under 18. To ensure compliance, platforms will be mandated to verify the ages of their users, with the communications regulator Ofcom responsible for establishing the necessary age-verification systems. This decision follows a consultation that attracted feedback from 116,000 participants.