Social Media Ban for Children Under 16 May Go Into Effect Next Year in U.K.

Amid concerns over social media addiction, mental health and online safety, the British government plans sweeping restrictions on children’s use of the platforms that may take effect in 2027.

The United Kingdom plans to prohibit children under the age of 16 from accessing major social media platforms as early as next year, marking one of the world’s most aggressive efforts to address concerns that social media companies have prioritized user engagement over the safety and well-being of young users.

Former Prime Minister Keir Starmer issued a press release on June 15, just days from resigning his position, announcing the proposal and indicating the government intends to introduce regulations before the end of the year that it will begin enforcing next spring. The plan follows a nationwide consultation that found overwhelming public support for stronger protections for children online.

Social media refers to websites and mobile apps that allow people to create profiles, share photos, videos and messages, and interact with others online. Popular platforms include Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, X and other sites where users can connect with friends, follow creators and discover content recommended by algorithms.

Social Media Addiction Risks

The U.K. is not the only country facing problems over social media’s effect on youth. In a public health advisory (PDF) issued earlier this year, the U.S. Surgeon General warned that excessive social media use may contribute to anxiety, depression and other mental health harms among adolescents. The report noted that nearly half of teenagers report losing track of how much time they spend on their phones.

The advisory also found that screen time generally increases as children get older, with preteens and teenagers averaging about four hours of daily use. Other research has suggested that frequent social media use may increase feelings of loneliness and depression, particularly among younger users.

Parents, educators and mental health professionals have increasingly questioned whether these risks are worsened by platform features intended to maximize user engagement, including algorithm-driven recommendations, infinite scrolling, autoplay videos and persistent notifications. Experts warn that children and adolescents may be especially vulnerable because their developing brains are more responsive to social rewards and repeated digital stimulation.

Those concerns have fueled a growing number of social media addiction lawsuits filed in the United States against Meta, Google, ByteDance, Snap and other technology companies. The complaints allege the platforms were intentionally designed to encourage compulsive use among children and teenagers while failing to adequately warn users about the potential mental health risks.

UK Social Media Ban Proposal

Under the U.K.’s proposal, social media companies would be responsible for preventing users under 16 from creating or maintaining accounts on platforms that rely on user-generated content and algorithmic recommendations. This would include services such as Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Facebook, X and YouTube. Messaging services, including WhatsApp and Signal, would initially be exempt from the ban.

The government also announced plans to restrict certain online features for minors under 16, including livestreaming and the ability for strangers to contact children through gaming and other online platforms. Officials are also considering additional safeguards, such as overnight restrictions and limits on addictive platform features for older teenagers.

Rather than imposing penalties on children who attempt to circumvent the restrictions, enforcement would focus on requiring social media companies to implement effective age verification systems. Britain’s communications regulator, Ofcom, will oversee compliance and develop enforcement standards.

“This is a line in the sand. Tech giants had their chance and failed, but we’re stepping in to protect children, back parents and set a new normal for future generations.”

— Keir Starmer, Former U.K. Prime Minister

The proposal has drawn criticism from several technology companies, which argue a blanket ban could drive teenagers toward less regulated online services. However, supporters contend stronger restrictions are necessary to reduce children’s exposure to harmful content, cyberbullying, online predators and addictive platform designs.

Social Media Addiction Lawsuits

The proposed restrictions come as thousands of claims filed by families, school districts and state attorneys general across the U.S. are proceeding in a coordinated multidistrict litigation (MDL) being overseen by federal District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in the Northern District of California.

While each lawsuit involves different circumstances, plaintiffs generally contend the platforms’ features were intentionally designed to maximize user attention while failing to adequately protect children from foreseeable harm.

The first social media addiction bellwether trial was scheduled to begin on June 15, involving claims brought by the Breathitt County school district. However, the parties notified Judge Rogers on May 21 that they had reached a settlement, filing a joint stipulation of voluntary dismissal that resolved the case before trial.

If the federal litigation is not resolved through a global settlement or another agreement after the bellwether process concludes, Judge Rogers is expected to begin sending individual lawsuits back to the federal courts where they were originally filed for individual trial dates.

Separate social media addiction lawsuits filed in state courts have already begun reaching juries. In March, a Los Angeles jury awarded $6 million to a woman who alleged Meta and Google contributed to the anxiety and depression she developed after becoming addicted to platforms such as Facebook and YouTube while still a minor.

Days earlier, a New Mexico jury had ordered Meta to pay $375 million to the state after concluding the company was responsible for harms associated with adolescent social media addiction.

Although those verdicts apply only to the individual cases involved, they are expected to influence ongoing litigation across the country. The results may also encourage additional social media addiction lawsuit settlements, helping the parties avoid years of costly and time-consuming trials.

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