United Kingdom prohibits children under 16 from using social networks The UK government has announced that it will ban access to social media for under-16s from 2027. The British government was inspired by Australia, the first country to ban teenagers from accessing social media. From 2027, Britons under 16 will also no longer be able to use platforms such as TikTok, YouTube, Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook and X. 📱Bookmark g1 on Google and follow the main news of the day The United Kingdom even went further: it will ban children under 16 from live broadcasting and communicating with strangers on online gaming platforms; and is studying preventing young people aged 16 to 18 from using social media at night. Messaging apps such as WhatsApp were not included in the ban. United Kingdom prohibits children under 16 from using social networks National Newspaper/ Reproduction To define the new rules, the British government carried out a public consultation that received more than 116 thousand responses. Nine out of ten parents defended the minimum age of 16 to enter social networks. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the measure is not against freedom of expression, but rather a way to protect future generations. It also stated that platforms will be held responsible if children and young people circumvent bans. Meta, owner of Facebook and Instagram, stated that banning it would isolate teenagers more. YouTube said children may end up seeking less safe alternatives. According to the OECD, 25 countries have already adopted or are discussing restrictions on the use of social networks by children and adolescents. GloboPop: click to see videos from the Jornal Nacional stage READ ALSO UK will ban children under 16 from social media and consider restricting artificial intelligence chats Florida accuses TikTok of violating law that bans children under 14 from social media