Law note · United Kingdom
Under-16 social media minimum age regulations (announced), Online Safety Act 2023 section 214A
On 15 June 2026 the government announced it will ban under-16s from social media platforms that allow content posting and use algorithmic recommendation feeds (naming Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and X), with messaging services excluded and narrow exemptions for education, e-commerce, and music streaming.
The ban will be made by statutory instrument under section 214A of the Online Safety Act 2023 rather than a new bill, with regulations expected to be laid before Parliament by the end of 2026 and protections in force in spring 2027. The announcement followed the Growing Up in the Online World national consultation (2 March to 26 May 2026, over 116,000 responses), whose government response was published on 15 July 2026. Ofcom is to complete a rapid study on highly effective age assurance for under-16s in autumn 2026.
Primary source: DSIT announcement and consultation outcome, gov.uk
Commons statement, Hansard, 15 June 2026