The UK government has outlined further details of proposed restrictions on social media use among under-16s, with major platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, X and YouTube expected to be covered.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said technology companies would be responsible for enforcing age-verification measures, while Ofcom would oversee compliance. 

Elizabeth Anderson, chief executive of the Digital Poverty Alliance, said: “Children need access to technology and the internet to succeed in education, but that access should not come at the cost of their safety online.”

“Restrictions alone would not be enough and pointed to research suggesting a gap between parental expectations and school-based media literacy.”

Messaging services such as WhatsApp and Signal are likely to remain outside the scope of the rules. 

Ministers are also considering additional safeguards, including limits on livestreaming, restrictions on contact from strangers and overnight curfews for young users.

The plans follow a consultation on children’s online wellbeing that received more than 116,000 responses. 

About 90% of parents supported a minimum age requirement for social media access.

While 63% of parents believe online harms can be reduced through education, only 23% say their children receive media literacy lessons at school.

Cybersecurity expert Heather Barnhart, of SANS at Cellebrite, said:” Parents and regulators must work together to guide children and set clear boundaries. 

“Stricter rules could push some young people toward less-regulated platforms.”

The proposals are part of a wider effort to improve children’s online safety while balancing access, well-being and digital freedom.