UK proposes under-16 social media ban by spring 2027 with AI chatbot restrictions
TikTok, Snapchat, and gaming features targeted; AI companions face 18+ age gates.
The UK government announced plans for a potential under-16 social media ban, possibly taking effect in spring 2027 if the rules go ahead, covering platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, Facebook, and X, plus gaming and AI features. Messaging apps like WhatsApp are not intended to be included. AI romantic companion chatbots would have to enforce a minimum age of 18. Ofcom will conduct a rapid study into what constitutes effective age assurance. According to the article, Meta, YouTube, and Snapchat warned the ban could drive teenagers toward less regulated services.
- Ban covers Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and X, with exemptions for WhatsApp, Signal, education, e-commerce, and music streaming.
- AI romantic companion chatbots must enforce 18+ minimum age; intimate features on general AI chatbots restricted for under-18s.
- Ofcom to define 'highly effective age assurance' standard; industry warns ban may push teens to unregulated services.
Why It Matters
Platforms must overhaul age verification and feature defaults for UK teens, with AI chatbots facing new compliance hurdles.