UK to ban under-16s from ‘high risk’ social media apps

Keir Starmer to set out plans on Monday but there are fears a decision to ban some platforms but not others will lead to legal challenges

Teenagers under the age of 16 are to be banned from accessing “high-risk” social media apps while safer platforms will be subjected to restrictions, under a sweeping government crackdown to be announced next week.

Under-18s will also be banned from using romantic or sexual AI chatbots following a https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/may/05/how-uk-may-restrict-social-media-under-16s-time-limits-curfews-ban">consultation on keeping children safe online.