Reason YouTube and Snapchat come under UK social media ban but WhatsApp and two other apps don't
The UK is introducing a massive social media ban impacting millions of people in the country, all of them under the age of 16.
Announced by Prime Minister Sir Kier Starmer this morning (15 June), the Labour leader said the technology crackdown was part of efforts to 'give kids their childhood back'.
As a result, a significant campaign will take place in the coming months to eliminate access to a vast array of popular social media platforms and apps.
It is expected to mirror the similar ban that exists in Australia, where access to TikTok, Instagram Threads, Facebook, X (Twitter), YouTube, Snapchat , Reddit, Twitch, and Kick will be prohibited.
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Crucially, the likes of WhatsApp - and Discord and Telegram - look like they may avoid being part of this ban for the time being.
Algorithms define what is banned
According to the UK Government, the rationale behind the ban is to cut access to content and platforms governed based on algorithms.
This mirrors the same approach Down Under, where there is a ban on user-to-user social media platforms that are based off of supplying content based on algorithms. The UK is adopting the same approach in 2026.
But given WhatsApp, Discord and Telegram - as well as other apps such as Signal and Meta's Messenger - are messaging services, they seemingly do not fall under the realms of being banned. Importantly, though, under 16s wont be able to message strangers on apps like Discord and disappearing messages will be prohibited.
"Tech companies have had countless opportunities to keep children safe, yet they have failed to act. That is why we are a taking power away from the tech giants and putting it back in parents’ hands," Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said.
"My driving force has always been to give every child, from every background, the best possible start in life. That is what these regulations will deliver."
When will the social media ban go live?
The ban will go through the Houses of Parliament, where it has to be approved by MPs and peers in the House of Commons and House of Lords.
Expect this to happen quite quickly despite that process being lengthy, with the Government saying it will 'act fast'. If successful, it could become law by spring 2027.
According to Government polling, nine in 10 parents sampled across the country said they supported a social media ban for children under 16.
Starmer said: "Parents want to keep their kids safe and happy, but the online world has made that harder than ever. I’ve heard first hand from families crying out for change and we will do right by them.
"That’s why we’re going further than any country in the world by banning social media for under 16s and putting wider protections in place to give kids their childhood back. This is a line in the sand. Tech giants had their chance and failed, but we’re stepping in to protect children, back parents and set a new normal for future generations."
Other digital bans coming in
The announcement this morning also took aim at AI ‘romantic companion’ chatbots, which are by design created to simulate sexual relationships or roleplay with users.
Under these new laws, this chabots will have to enforce a minimum age of 18 with similar intimate functionalities restricted for under 18s on AI chatbots more widely.
Tom Earnshaw