Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is set to announce a plan that would restrict children under 16 from accessing most social‑media platforms within the next ten days. The move follows a nationwide consultation that wrapped up last month and is timed to precede the Makerfield by‑election on June 18. If enacted, the United Kingdom would become only the second nation, after Australia, to impose such a ban.

Hybrid Model Targets "High‑Risk" Platforms While Sparing YouTube Kids

The proposed framework distinguishes between "high‑risk" services—such as Meta, TikTok, Snapchat and Kick—and "safer" apps that could remain open to younger users. A notable carve‑out is YouTube Kids, which would be exempt from the ban. According to a Downing Street source, the government wants to avoid the blunt‑force approach taken by Australia and instead focus on features that amplify harm, like infinite scrolling and push notifications.

Australia’s December Ban Serves as Both Blueprint and Warning

Australia introduced a blanket under‑16 ban in December 2025, forcing major platforms to block accounts for that age group. While Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese praised the policy as a point of national pride, the eSafety Commission reported that roughly 70 % of under‑16s still evade the block through workarounds. Online Safety Commissioner Julie Inman‑Grant called the Australian law a "fencing the ocean" strategy, warning that it may only create temporary friction rather than lasting safety.

Political Stakes: Makerfield By‑Election and Labour Leadership Dynamics

The timing of the announcement is strategic. the Makerfield by‑election on June 18 is a litmus test for Labour’s popularity ahead of the next general election, and it also offers a stage for potential leadership challenges. Andy Burnham, the mayor of Manchester, is rumored to be positioning himself for a return to Westminster, making the social‑media policy a possible rallying point for Labour supporters.

Calls for Broader Protections From Children’s Commissioner and MPs

Dame Rachel de Souza, the Children’s Commissioner, has urged the government to extend the same level of protection to 16‑ and 17‑year‑olds, arguing they should not receive "lesser protection." Meanwhile, a cross‑party group of MPs is pressing for a ban on addictive design elements—including endless scrolling, disappearing messages and push notifications—for users under 18. Starmer’s hybrid model reportedly includes a phase‑out of indefinite scrolling and push alerts, aligning partially with those demands.

Who Will Enforce the Ban and What Penalties Await Non‑Compliant Platforms?

Enforcement will fall to the UK’s online safety regulator, which is expected to levy fines comparable to Australia’s AUD 50 million maximum for breaches . The regulator will also investigate whether platforms are offering work‑arounds that let under‑16s sidestep the restrictions. As the policy is still being drafted, the exact penalty structure remains unclear.

Open Questions: Exact Definition of "High‑Risk" and the Role of Messaging in Gaming Apps

The consultation left two major uncertainties: which specific apps will be classified as high‑risk, and whether messaging functions within gaming platforms will be subject to the same restrictions. The government has not yet confirmed whether popular gaming services with built‑in chat will face the same limitations as traditional social networks.