Residents, this one is going to shake up every group chat in the country 😭📵

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has confirmed that under-16s will be banned from using major social media platforms by spring 2027, in what he has described as a “full ban” aimed at protecting children online.

Speaking in a televised address, Starmer said:

“A full ban is the right choice... I am not prepared to compromise on the safety and happiness of our children.”

The platforms affected include Snapchat, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and X, marking a major overhaul of how young people in the UK will be allowed to access social media. However, messaging apps like WhatsApp and Signal will not be included in the restrictions, according to the government.

The announcement immediately sparked debate across schools, homes and social media itself. Meanwhile, some parents have strongly welcomed the move.

International comparisons have also been raised, with Australia becoming the first country to introduce a similar ban in December. However, reports from there suggest enforcement has been difficult, with teenagers finding ways around age verification systems and little visible change in behaviour online.

The UK government maintains that the new law will be enforced through stricter platform accountability and improved age verification measures, though questions remain about how effectively it can be implemented in practice.

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