The government has announced that social media platforms will be blocked from offering services to under-16s.

The government plans to use the same model for a social media ban as Australia. This would capture user-to-user platforms, whose purpose is to enable social interaction and which allow users to post material, alongside algorithms. The ban will therefore include platforms like Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and X.

Messaging services like WhatsApp and Signal will not be included in the social media ban.

Legislation is expected to be brought to Parliament before Christmas, with rules expected to come into force in Spring 2027.

The government will also put in place measures to block harmful functions such as livestreaming and stranger communication with children for under-16s.

The government will also be looking in more detail at overnight curfews and breaks in infinite scrolling for under-18-year-olds and will set out more detail in July.

AI ‘romantic companion’ chatbots – designed to simulate sexual relationships or roleplay with users – will have to enforce a minimum age of 18. Similar intimate functionalities will be restricted for under-18s on AI chatbots more widely.

The government will also learn the lessons from Australia’s experience by introducing more highly effective age assurance (HEAA) measures to support compliance, making it far harder for children to bypass safeguards.

Ofcom will conduct a rapid study on what is effective age assurance for verifying whether someone is over 16. The government has said it will ensure Ofcom has the funding it needs to carry out its new responsibilities.