The U.K. Government has unveiled landmark legislation to ban social media for children under the age of 16, with a formal launch scheduled for spring 2027. Prime Minister Keir Starmer introduced the plan on Monday, stating the move aims to “give kids their childhood back” by reducing time spent scrolling and increasing time for play. The legislation follows a similar model recently implemented in Australia. The ban will target user-to-user platforms that enable social interaction, allow users to post material, and use algorithms. Specific platforms identified for the ban include X, Facebook, YouTube, Snapchat, TikTok, and Instagram. However, the government clarified that messaging services such as WhatsApp and Signal are not intended to be included in the social media ban. Media regulator Ofcom has been tasked with developing the specific details of the regulations. Ofcom stated that while it has already implemented some of the world’s strongest online safety regulations, including age checks and grooming protections, the industry must go further. The regulator expressed readiness to work with the government to build on existing progress to protect children. In addition to the social media ban, the government announced restrictions on AI technology. “So-called AI ‘romantic companion’ chatbots” designed to simulate sexual relationships or roleplay will be required to enforce a minimum age of 18. The government also plans to restrict similar intimate functionalities for users under 18 across AI chatbots more broadly. Prime Minister Starmer framed the legislation as a “line in the sand,” claiming that tech giants failed to protect children and that the government is stepping in to provide wider protections. The administration described the suite of measures as a comprehensive model designed to respond to how children experience online harm rather than just where it occurs.