The United Kingdom is poised to announce one of the most sweeping social media crackdowns in the world, set to go further than Australia's own landmark ban that came into force in December 2025. Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to bar under-16s from major platforms, including TikTok, Instagram and X, in what the Guardian has described as an 'Australia plus' approach.
Beyond the platform ban itself, the government's plans extend into territory Australia did not cover, with new restrictions on gaming apps, AI chatbot products, and late-night social media access for under-18s also forming part of the package.
