Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Android Central
Android Central
Technology
Sanuj Bhatia

UK bans social media for under-16s: Here's when it starts and which apps are affected

United Kingdom Sir Keir Starmer Instagram Facebook Snapchat TikTok WhatsApp X
Instagram logo on a phone.

What you need to know

  • The UK plans to ban social media access for under-16s, with the rules expected to take effect in 2027.
  • Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, Facebook, and X would be affected by the ban.
  • The proposal would also restrict livestreaming and communication with strangers on gaming platforms.
  • Messaging apps like WhatsApp and Signal are exempted for now.
Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Qianlong vase found in Cornish property brochure sells at Sotheby’s for £304,800
A large imperial porcelain vase, standing thirty-seven centimetres tall and made for the Qianlong emperor, passed down through a single English family before arriving at Sotheby's. Estimated at between £100,000 and £200,000, it sold in November 2025 for £304,800, comfortably above the top end of the estimate. Its story combines…
The Times of India
The Times of India
Scientists Asked Coffee Drinkers to Quit for 14 Days — Here’s What Changed
What would happen if you gave up your morning coffee for two weeks? Would you sleep better, feel less anxious, or spend your mornings battling...
Saving Advice
Saving Advice
Michigan TikToker says neighbors allegedly called ICE on her family. Then asked her mom to save them some tamales
A promised batch of tamales, delivered anyway.
We Got This Covered
We Got This Covered
Two strangers say a mom handed them her baby at a Phoenix concert. But when she came back, she told security a different story
No good deeds, huh?
We Got This Covered
We Got This Covered
Demi Lovato's Battle With Her Eating Disorder Is a Lifelong Struggle and She Confesses Not 'Fully Healed'
Demi Lovato has spoken about her ongoing eating disorder recovery, saying complete healing feels unrealistic while cooking and body acceptance have helped her manage the condition.
International Business Times UK
International Business Times UK
Ben Affleck’s Latest Confession Puts His Hollywood Past Under a Fresh Spotlight
"I always found that man sketchy," one person said after Ben Affleck's podcast remark led to renewed scrutiny of his past controversies.
Bored Panda
Bored Panda
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.
Download on the AppStore Get it on Google Play