UK Plans to Ban Social Media Access for Users Under 16 by 2027

The UK government announced plans to ban social media platforms from allowing users under 16 to create accounts, with the policy set to take effect in 2027, according to reports from TechStartups and CNBC this week.

Under the proposal, platforms including Instagram, TikTok, and X would be required to implement age verification systems capable of confirming that users are at least 16 before granting access. Companies that fail to comply would face substantial fines under the UK's Online Safety Act framework.

The announcement follows Australia's passage of a similar law in late 2024, which banned social media for children under 16 and took effect earlier this year. UK officials cited Australia's experience as evidence that such bans are enforceable.

Technology companies have pushed back against the proposal, arguing that age verification systems are difficult to implement without collecting sensitive personal data from users. Civil liberties groups raised concerns about privacy and the effectiveness of age checks that could be circumvented.

Canada introduced parallel legislation in the same week, targeting both AI chatbots and youth social media use. The Canadian bill would require platforms to obtain parental consent before allowing minors to use AI-powered chat features and would restrict certain types of targeted advertising directed at users under 18.

Mental health advocates in both countries welcomed the moves, pointing to research linking heavy social media use among teenagers to increased rates of anxiety and depression. Critics argued that the evidence for a direct causal link remains contested and that bans could push young people toward less regulated platforms.

The UK government said it would consult with technology companies, parents, and child safety experts before finalizing the legislation.