---
layout: post
syndicate: false
date: 2026-06-15 12:10
title: Social media to be banned for under-16s
link: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/social-media-to-be-banned-for-under-16s-in-landmark-government-move-to-givekids-their-childhood-back
cited: Gov.uk
type: linked
---

Described as a landmark move to give Children their childhood back, I wonder what happens to kids who are disabled, stuck at home and may lose access to support forums, channels - which may be their only social interaction e.g the discord from the ME Association.

And by excluding signal and WhatsApp are they not forcing all nefarious communication attempts into E2EE chats and beyond visibility by law enforcement?

> The government plans to use the same model for a social media ban as Australia. This would capture user-to-user platforms, whose purpose is to enable social interaction and which allow users to post material, alongside algorithms. The ban will therefore include platforms like Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and X. We do not intend for messaging services like WhatsApp and Signal to be included in the social media ban.
>
> In a move to protect children online and address the scale of the challenge, the government will also go further than a blanket ban on social media with world-leading blocks on harmful functions such as livestreaming and stranger communication with children for under-16s. These restrictions -- which together with the ban go further than any other country -- will apply to a wider range of online services, including on gaming sites.