As per media reports, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced plans to ban social media platforms from offering services to children under the age of 16, as governments worldwide face growing pressure to address online safety concerns for young users.

According to reports from The Guardian, Financial Times and CNBC, the UK government is expected to model the policy on Australia's landmark social media legislation, while introducing additional restrictions aimed at protecting minors online.

The proposed ban could apply to platforms including TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, X, Snapchat and other major social networking services.

The first phase of regulations is expected to come into effect as early as spring 2027.

Beyond restricting access to social media platforms for under-16s, the UK government is reportedly considering measures that would block livestreaming features and communication with strangers for younger users.

Similar protections may be enabled by default for 16 and 17-year-olds.

Reports also suggest that authorities are exploring overnight curfews, limits on infinite scrolling features and restrictions on romantic or sexual AI chatbots for users under 18.

While some elements of the policy could be implemented through existing regulatory powers, additional legislation may be required to fully enforce the proposed measures.

The move follows the UK's broader efforts to strengthen online child safety. The country has already introduced age verification requirements for certain online services and joins a growing list of nations considering stricter regulations on children's social media use.

The debate has gained momentum amid increasing concerns about the impact of social media on the mental health and well-being of teenagers and children. High-profile cases involving self-harm, harmful online content and cyberbullying have intensified calls for stronger safeguards.

However, critics argue that blanket bans could prove difficult to enforce and may isolate young users from age-appropriate online experiences. Concerns have also been raised about privacy implications associated with age verification systems, as well as the possibility that minors could bypass restrictions through tools such as VPNs.

Technology companies have similarly questioned the effectiveness of broad bans, arguing that supervised and age-appropriate digital experiences offer a safer alternative to outright restrictions.

The UK government's announcement marks one of the most ambitious attempts yet to regulate children's access to social media, potentially setting a new benchmark for online safety policies globally.