Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentIndependentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleNicole Wootton-CaneMonday 15 June 2026 19:38 BSTHow will the UK’s under-16s social media ban work?The Prime Minister announced sweeping reforms to ban under-16s from social media platforms such as TikTok and Snapchat from as early as next spring.The new rules will prevent children under 16 from joining user-to-user platforms, livestreaming, or communicating with strangers, while AI chatbots simulating romantic or sexual relationships will require users to be 18.While welcomed by the NSPCC as a "win for children and parents", the ban has faced criticism from campaigners and MPs.Critics argue the ban is a "missed opportunity" that risks driving young people into "darker places" online and fails to hold big tech companies accountable.Concerns also include the potential negative impact on marginalised young people who use social media for support, and the ban's implications for 16 and 17-year-olds' access to information for democratic engagement.In fullFears Starmer’s ‘rush job’ social media reforms could send children to ‘darker places’ onlineThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in