In June, the government announced that under-16s won’t be allowed on social media. Last month, it named a start date: March 2027.
There’s been a lot of noise since, so here’s our plain guide to what’s been decided, what hasn’t, and what it means for your family.
In a nutshell
From March 2027, social media companies won’t be allowed to give accounts to under-16s. The rules apply to the platforms. Children, parents and schools won’t be penalised if a child gets round them.
The ban isn’t law yet. The rules are due to go before Parliament by the end of this year.
Which apps are covered?
Off-limits for under-16s: TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, Facebook and X.
Still allowed: WhatsApp and Signal, because messaging apps aren’t covered, and YouTube Kids.
Allowed, with limits: games such as Roblox. Under-16s won’t be able to livestream or be contacted by strangers.
These are the apps the government has named so far. The final list will be set out in the regulations. The government has also suggested that services made safe enough for children may be able to stay open to them, so the list could still change.
Who it affects
Under 16
Platforms can’t offer them an account.
No livestreaming, and no contact from strangers on other apps, including games.
16 and 17
Safer settings will be on by default:
No access from midnight to 6am
No overnight notifications
No autoplay or personalised feeds
No livestreaming or contact from strangers
Teens can change these settings themselves.
18 and over
No change, though some adults may be asked to confirm their age.
Everyone under 18
AI chatbots won’t be allowed to offer them sexual content or role-play, and will have to build in breaks.
When it happens
June 2026: the ban is announced.
September 2026: the government confirms March 2027 as the start date. Separately, schools are now expected to be phone-free all day, including breaks.
October 2026: Ofcom’s advice on how platforms should check that someone is over 16 is due by the end of the month.
End of 2026: the rules go before Parliament.
March 2027: the ban is expected to start.
What’s still to be decided
The full list of apps covered
What happens to children’s existing accounts
How age checks will work
How big the fines for platforms will be
What you can do now
Talk about it early. Explain what’s changing and why, well before March.
Check their apps. Note which ones your child uses and which are covered.
Agree rules for messaging. WhatsApp isn’t covered, so group chats will carry on.
Expect workarounds. Fake birthdays and VPNs will tempt some children. Keep talking, so they come to you if something goes wrong.
Plan for 16. Safer settings are on by default at 16 and 17, but teens can turn them off. Decide together which ones to keep.
The ban tells us what children can’t do. At Futurehood, we’re more interested in what they can do, and that’s where we’re heading next.
How are you talking to your kids about the ban? Tell us in the comments. And if this was useful, please share it with another parent.
Correct as of 21 October 2026. Details may change as the rules are finalised.