UK to ban social media access for children under 16

The UK government announced plans to prohibit children under 16 from using user-to-user social media platforms (including TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, X and YouTube) and to impose additional safeguards such as restrictions on livestreaming, stranger communication, stronger age-assurance, potential overnight curfews, and breaks in infinite scrolling; the measures are framed as stronger than Australia's recent ban, are expected to reach legislation by Christmas with enforcement by spring 2027, and have drawn both parental support and criticism from civil liberties groups.