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UK to Ban Social Media for Under-16s, Age-Check Required.

6/10/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The UK government will announce a ban on social-media for under-16s after a consultation showed strong parental support.
The U.S. embassy in London advised parents to tighten privacy settings, enable study mode and limit online time.
The Molly Rose Foundation urged the government to impose strict app safety standards before any bans.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said any ban must have age verification and will not be a one-time fix.

History

Historical Context

When the EU’s GDPR took effect on 25 May 2018, it imposed strict rules on children’s data. Enforcement intensified, exemplified by the Irish Data Protection Commission’s €345 million fine on TikTok in 2024. Building on that precedent, Britain’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport, which oversees online safety, now proposes a ban on social-media for under-16s.

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Story summary

The UK government will announce a ban on social-media for under-16s after a consultation showed strong parental support.
The U.S. embassy in London advised parents to tighten privacy settings, enable study mode and limit online time.
The Molly Rose Foundation urged the government to impose strict app safety standards before any bans.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said any ban must have age verification and will not be a one-time fix.

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