HERE’S WHAT WE KNOW:
Keir Starmer says under-16s will be banned from social media by spring 2027 – key points from the announcement
Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and X are among the platforms affected – but not WhatsApp or Signal, the government says
“A full ban is the right choice… I am not prepared to compromise on the safety and happiness of our children,” Starmer says in a televised statement
At a high school in Wythenshawe, Manchester, Year 8 and 9 pupils have their say on social media: Sean, 13, says “it’s a bad place” while Isaac, also 13, says he’s “disappointed” ministers opted for a ban instead of trying to make platforms “safer”
Meanwhile, Louise Gibson, the mother of 11-year-old Noah who is alleged to have died after attempting an online challenge, says “this is right for children and it’s right for parents” – here’s what other bereaved families told the BBC
In Australia, which became the first country in the world to introduce a similar ban in December, our reporter says little has changed and teenagers are bypassing age restriction systems
What happens next – and do you need to do anything?
The under-16 ban announced this morning could kick in as early as next spring – we’ve taken a closer look at the implications for social media users between now and then.
What do I need to do now?
Nothing. The government says it will provide further details to families and children ahead of the changes in 2027.
Will adults need to verify age?
Most won’t, according to the government, because:
Their account has already been open 16 years
They have a credit card connected to it
It’s linked to an email that’s age-verified in other ways or they’ve already done verification checks under the existing Online Safety Act
How will age verification work?
For those that do need to verify their age, it could be as simple as a facial recognition check. Ofcom will set out different options that are “accurate, robust, reliable, and fair” in the coming months, the government says.
