Under-16s will be banned from social media from early 2027

Millions of children in the UK will be forced off social media after the government announced it would ban under-16s from accessing a range of platforms.

Apps including TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram will become inaccessible for children, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said.

"We hope to pass regulation before Christmas," he said, with the ban coming into force in spring 2027.

Tech companies including Meta, Snapchat and YouTube warned a blanket ban would move children into more unsafe online environments

"I am not prepared to compromise on the safety and happiness of our children, and that is why this ban must happen, and why this ban will happen," Sir Keir said.

The government is yet to release the full list of platforms affected, but said YouTube, Facebook and X would also be included.

The government said over-16s may have to verify their ages to continue using social media platforms.

But it said many adults would not need to do checks because their accounts are already over 16 years old, had a credit card linked or their email address was already verified in other ways.