How the UK Plans to Keep Children Off Social Media: Explainer

The UK has become the latest country to announce a ban on under-16s using social media, following a landmark law in Australia that underscored the growing pressure on governments to better protect children from online harms.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Britain is “going further than any country in the world” by preventing children under 16 from using all major social media platforms, including Meta Platforms Inc.’s Instagram and Facebook as well as Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube and X, while also taking aim at livestreaming and communication on gaming sites.

Australia in December became the world’s first democracy to compel the likes of Meta, TikTok and Snap to ensure that those under the age of 16 can’t use their services.

Photographer: Brent Lewin/Bloomberg

What is Australia’s under-16s social media ...