U.K. the latest country to move toward social media ban for kids

Data: Axios research; Map: Danielle Alberti/Axios

The U.K. plans to ban children under 16 from major social media platforms starting in 2027, joining a growing international effort to restrict minors' access.

Why it matters: Governments worldwide are increasingly pursuing social media restrictions for minors amid concerns about young people's health, wellbeing and online safety.

The big picture: In the U.S., kids' online safety regulation has faced an uphill climb in Congress. But cities and states have proposed their own measures to regulate minors' social media use, like age verification provisions, school cellphone bans and time limit rules.

But for kids and teens in other countries, national restrictions may arrive sooner.

State of play: The U.K. proposal, which would bar kids under 16 from certain social media platforms, should be implemented in spring 2027, per a government fact sheet.

The ban would cover Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and X, per a statement However, the government does not plan to restrict messaging services like WhatsApp and Signal. It would also block functions like livestreaming and stranger communication with children.

"It's a big step for our country," Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a video posted to X, adding that it's "not an easy thing to do."

Britain's model would follow — but go even farther than — that of Australia, which became in December the first country to restrict social media access for those under 16.

Australia's measure covers platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, Twitch, X, YouTube, Kick and Reddit, and courts can fine platforms up to AUD$49.5 million (roughly $35 million in U.S. dollars) for failing to take reasonable steps to keep underage users away.

Zoom out: Several other countries — including Canada, France and Spain — are also pushing measures to curb minors' social media access.

Approaches vary: While some countries, like Indonesia, have implemented more blanket regulations, a Brazilian law requires minors under 16 to link their social media accounts to a legal guardian.

Friction point: While some international leaders have backed bans to safeguard youth mental health, tech leaders have argued such restrictions can be difficult to enforce and can be sidestepped.

In a March report, Australia's eSafety Commissioner noted that "despite overall reductions in account ownership ... a substantial number of children aged under 16 retain accounts" after the ban took effect in Australia.

And in the U.S., state-level restrictions on kids' social media usage have faced legal challenges and arguments that they infringe on minors' access to information and expression.

What's next: Courts and regulators will continue to test whether social media restrictions for minors can survive legal and technical challenges — while regulators, platforms and parents test whether the measures are effective.

Go deeper: Exclusive: Youth and family groups push chatbot restrictions

Editor's note: Axios' Donica Phifer contributed to this report.