Full list of social media platforms included in Starmer’s under-16s ban

Full list of social media platforms included in Starmer’s under-16s ban Platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat and Facebook are set to be banned - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments Social media platforms will be blocked for children under the age of 16 in a historic move from Sir Keir Starmer, as he said a “total ban is the right choice”. The prime minister announced the restriction in a Downing Street press conference on Monday morning as he warned social media was having an impact on children’s happiness and mental health. This included “making it easier for bullies to harass and abuse” children, and could be exposing them to “dangerous” content. A number of major platforms are to be included in the ban which will be a blow to US tech giants. The social media platforms to be affected include: Messaging services like WhatsApp and Signal are not set to be included in the ban. Restrictions will also be enforced on gaming sites which will include world-leading blocks on harmful functions such as livestreaming and stranger communication with children under-16. AI ‘romantic companion chatbots’, which are designed to simulate sexual relationships or roleplay with users, will also enforce a minimum age of 16. The prime minister said he was confident the ban would be effective but acknowledged some children would find their way around it. The measure is expected to come into force by early next year. The government is also looking at potential overnight curfews and breaks in infinite scrolling for under-18s. Sir Keir, a father-of-two, said: “This is not something I do lightly, and I will not present it as cost-free, as if social media has brought no benefits to young people, because clearly that is wrong. “But government is always about choices, and it’s clear to me that a full ban is the right choice. “I come to it as a parent myself. I know exactly the fears that we all feel when we’re thinking about this issue. “All I’ve ever wanted for my own children, hand on heart, is for them to be happy and for them to be safe, and I think that’s what any parent wants, but I ask the question now: Do we truly believe that social media creates a happy environment for our children? “Do we truly believe that it’s a place where they can feel safe? I don’t think I even need to answer those questions, do I? “Every parent can see it with their own eyes. Social media is making children unhappy.” The UK has sought consultation from Australia, which introduced the world’s first outright ban on social media for under-16s in December 2025. Children cannot set up new accounts and their existing profiles were deactivated, with social media companies facing fines of up to A$49.5m (US $32m, £25m) for serious or repeated breaches. Parents who blame social media for the deaths of their children called the ban for u16s “fantastic” and said they were “speechless”. Ellen Roome, whose son Jools died in 2022, told BBC Breakfast: “Fantastic, I mean to actually hear him step up and do this was phenomenal and I thought it was a very good speech, it was very powerful. “The devil is bringing the details of how this actually happens but I think, well done, thank you.” Mariano Janin, whose daughter Mia died in 2021, said he was “emotional” and “speechless after the announcement. “I think it’s a change in the right direction. It won’t be easy but it will be possible,” he said. His announcement came shortly before he travelled to the G7 summit in France, where he will be joined by world leaders including US president Donald Trump. There has been resistance from the Trump administration to action against social media sites, which are largely based in the US. Sir Keir said he had spoken to Mr Trump and would discuss the issue with him again, but stressed that many countries around the world were “grappling” with the issue of children’s safety online. Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments [Image text:] Textra Phone O Messeng. Instagram X Facebook 50 WhatsApp YouTube 16 Chrome chat