The UK government has moved beyond consultation and set out a clearer direction for youth social-media rules. The current plan is to prevent social-media services from being offered to children under 16, while introducing additional default restrictions for 16- and 17-year-olds.
What is planned for under-16s
The government says social-media companies will be prevented from offering their services to users under 16, subject to a defined scope and exemptions for services that do not function like mainstream social networks. The first regulations are expected to be laid before Parliament in 2026, with implementation planned for spring 2027.
What changes for 16- and 17-year-olds
For older teenagers, the approach is different. The government has announced default overnight curfews from midnight to 6am, with notifications switched off during that period. Autoplay and personalised feeds are also due to be switched off by default. These settings can be changed by the teenager, so the policy is not the same as a total ban for 16- and 17-year-olds.
Why this matters to creators and agencies
For publishers, agencies and creators, the main practical issue is audience access and age assurance. Campaigns aimed at younger users may need to account for reduced reach, different default settings and stricter platform obligations. The details will depend on the final regulations and Ofcom’s implementation.
Businesses should therefore avoid treating the policy as if every platform feature has already changed. The restrictions are planned, not fully in force yet, and the exact scope remains subject to legislation and implementation guidance.
