Millions of under-16s will be blocked from holding social media accounts from March 2027, Labour has confirmed. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy announced the timing at an event at the Labour conference in Liverpool, revealing for the first time the month in which the Government's "Australia-style" restrictions will begin.
However, the Government has not yet announced an exact day in March. Ministers are expected to lay the necessary regulations before Parliament by the end of this year, with the ban previously described only as coming into force in "spring 2027".
Platforms and Origins
The rules are expected to cover major platforms, including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Snapchat and X. The idea originated during the previous Labour government with former Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. In June, Sir Keir announced an "Australia-style" social media ban for more than 12 million under-16s, insisting the move will "protect children".
Ms Nandy described the plans as an "amazing force for good" that will "change the rights of children forever." But the Culture Secretary suggested the rules will not simply be a list of banned apps.
"We're going to do proper, comprehensive legislation so that it doesn't just incorporate the specific apps, it incorporates the features that we believe are not safe," she said.
Safety Measures and Australian Test
Companies could potentially escape restrictions if they can demonstrate that their platforms are sufficiently safe, with the Government assessing services through a "safety by design" approach. The UK plans to go further than Australia's system by restricting certain functions, including livestreaming and communication with strangers for under-16s.
The Australian experience could provide an early test of whether such restrictions work. Australia's age restrictions came into force on December 10, 2025. Three months later, the proportion of under-16s with a social media account had fallen from 52.4% to 42.1%, which the Australian government described as "a modest but statistically significant decline".
Concerns and Wider Context
However, the House of Commons Library has warned that a UK ban could have unintended consequences, including pushing children towards less regulated online spaces. It said some marginalised youngsters could also lose access to online communities and support networks.
Meanwhile, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has previously compared a separate proposed Government unit targeting online disinformation to "George Orwell's Ministry of Truth", warning it will be deployed to "clamp down on free speech" in Britain, GB News reports. The Government's plans come amid wider concerns over children's exposure to harmful online content, including bullying, self-harm material and content promoting eating disorders.
