The British government is planning to ban the use of some social media platforms for all children under 16, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Monday. 

The ban would apply to Snapchat, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X. The law would also apply to livestreaming and communications through a wider range of online media, including gaming sites. The law exempts messaging apps such as WhatsApp and Signal, the New York Times reported. 

“Government is always about choices, and it’s clear to me that a full ban is the right choice," Starmer said at a news conference. 

The ban is modeled on an Australian law that was introduced in December. The British parliament plans to introduce the new regulations before Christmas, with the ban going into full effect in early 2027.