United Kingdom announces ban on the use of social networks for children under 16 years of age
- Rommy Artigas
- Jun 15
- 2 min read
Today, June 15, 2026, the United Kingdom has announced that the use of social networks will be banned for children under 16 years of age.
The measure will affect platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, Facebook and X. Messaging applications such as Whatsapp or Signal are excluded from the veto.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer says that social networks make children unhappy, facilitate bullying and are "designed to create addiction." He adds that a ban would provide children with more time, security and freedom to grow, as well as more opportunities.
In addition, the Government affirms that it will go "beyond a general ban on social networks" and proposes:
→ Block "harmful functions, such as live broadcasts and communication between children under 16 years of age with strangers," also applicable to video games.
→ That AI-based "romantic company" chatbots have to verify that their users are of legal age.
This announcement comes after a previous consultation that received more than 116,000 responses. The result: 9 out of 10 parents support the ban, and two-thirds of the young people consulted also agree to restrict access to children under the age of 16.
The new rules could come into force in the spring of 2027.
In Starmer's words:
"This is a red line. The technological giants had their opportunity and wasted it, but we will intervene to protect children, support parents and establish a new normal for future generations."
Scientific evidence about the impact of these platforms on childhood no longer admits ambiguity, and citizen pressure is growing more and more around the world.
Australia was the first country in the world to promote a ban of this type. The United Kingdom has just followed the same path.
This same year, Pedro Sánchez announced that Spain would also promote restricting access to social networks to children under 16 years of age, but it has not yet been translated into a law.
Just a year ago we concentrated in several Spanish cities for the right to digital disconnection of minors, and this was one of our claims.
The platforms have had plenty of time to act and their responses have been non-existent, misleading or timid. It is time for governments to move from reflection to action in all countries.
By Rommy Artigas
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