Which Apps Will Be Affected by the UK Social Media Ban?
- 2 days ago
- 7 min read
Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, Facebook and X are currently expected to be among the services affected by the UK social media ban for under-16s.
However, the final legal definition and complete list of covered platforms have not yet been published.
Messaging services such as WhatsApp and Signal are not currently intended to be included, while gaming services are more likely to face restrictions on particular features than a complete ban.
This guide explains the current position, what remains uncertain and what parents need to know.
Last reviewed: 25 August 2026
Is there an official list which apps will be affected by the UK social media ban?
There is not yet a final, legally confirmed list which shows the apps will be affected by the UK social media ban.
The government intends to use a model similar to the one introduced in Australia. Its current guidance names Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat, Facebook and X as examples of platforms included in that model.
That makes these services likely to be affected, but being named as an example is not the same as appearing in final UK regulations.
The first regulations are expected to be presented to Parliament before the end of 2026, with restrictions currently expected to begin in spring 2027.
Definitions, exemptions and implementation details may change before then.
For the broader policy and implementation timeline, read our complete guide to the UK social media ban for under-16s.
Which apps are expected to be affected?
Instagram is one of the major platforms named by the government when describing the type of social media service expected to be covered.
Its public profiles, algorithmic recommendations, follower systems, direct communication and rapidly updated user-generated content are examples of features policymakers associate with social media risk.
Instagram should therefore be treated as likely to be included, although its final legal status will depend on the regulations.
TikTok
TikTok is also expected to be affected.
Its personalised recommendation feed, short-form user-generated videos, public engagement features and livestreaming functions place it firmly within the kind of social media environment the policy is intended to address.
Parents should not take action to remove accounts solely on the basis of the announcement.
The government has said that families do not need to do anything formally yet.
Snapchat
Snapchat has been named as another likely example.
Although it includes private messaging, Snapchat also combines social discovery, public content, recommendation features and communication with a wider network.
It should not therefore be assumed to qualify for the same treatment as a dedicated messaging service.
How existing accounts, stored memories and data exports will be handled has not yet been confirmed.
YouTube
YouTube has been named in the government’s explanation of the Australian model, making it likely to be affected in some form.
However, YouTube also provides educational videos, news, music and child-focused experiences.
The final regulations will need to determine how these different uses and versions of the service are treated.
Parents should not assume that all video content or every YouTube service will necessarily be treated identically.
Facebook is another platform named in the government’s examples.
Although it may be less widely used by younger children than some newer platforms, it includes profiles, feeds, groups, public content, messaging and recommendation systems associated with conventional social media.
It is therefore expected to fall within the affected category unless the final rules establish a different treatment.
X
X, formerly known as Twitter, has also been named as an example of a service expected to be covered.
Its public posting, follower networks, recommendations, trending content and communication features mean it is likely to meet the intended description of a social media service.
As with the other named platforms, its inclusion will not be legally final until the relevant regulations are published.
What will determine whether an app is included?
The government’s approach is expected to consider the nature and design of a service rather than relying only on a fixed list of brand names.
Relevant characteristics may include:
User-generated public content
Algorithmic recommendations
Public profiles and follower networks
Rapid or continuous content feeds
Livestreaming
Stranger discovery or communication
Features designed to maximise engagement
Public likes, reactions or popularity measures
This matters because apps and websites change frequently.
A definition based only on current platform names could quickly become outdated or allow very similar services to fall outside the rules.
The government has said it is focusing on social media services whose combination of design features creates particularly risky environments for children.
Will WhatsApp and Signal be included?
The government does not currently intend to include dedicated messaging services such as WhatsApp and Signal in the under-16 social media ban.
These services are primarily used to communicate directly with known contacts rather than publish content to an open follower network.
That does not mean messaging services are risk-free or exempt from every online-safety requirement.
Parents should still review:
Who can add their child to a group
Whether unknown people can make contact
Profile-photo and status visibility
Blocking and reporting controls
Location-sharing settings
The risks of scams, harmful content and unwanted contact
Visit the Liaura Online Safety Centre for practical guidance on privacy, contacts and safer online communication.
Will Roblox and other gaming services be banned?
The government is not currently proposing a blanket ban on online gaming for children under 16.
Instead, gaming and other online services may face restrictions on particular high-risk features.
These are expected to include livestreaming and communication with strangers.
A game could therefore remain available while particular communication or social functions are disabled, restricted or protected by stronger age checks.
Roblox has not been confirmed as part of a final platform list.
Parents should avoid claims that Roblox itself has definitely been banned.
The important distinction is:
Social media services may be prevented from offering their services to under-16s.
Other online services may remain accessible while specified harmful functions are restricted.
The final regulations and Ofcom guidance will determine how services containing both gaming and social features are classified.
What about educational, health and child-focused services?
The government has indicated that children should still be able to use the internet for learning, news, games and communication with known friends and family.
Its consultation response also identifies categories that may need different treatment, including:
Educational platforms
Communication services used by schools
Health services
Information and review platforms
Professional development services
Dedicated messaging services
Age-appropriate gaming services
An app describing itself as educational will not necessarily receive an automatic exemption.
The government is expected to define the scope carefully so that services cannot avoid the rules by adding a small amount of educational content.
The treatment of child-specific versions of larger platforms also remains to be confirmed.
Will children lose their existing social media accounts?
Current government information indicates that under-16s will no longer be able to use covered social media services once the restrictions take effect.
However, the process for existing accounts has not yet been explained in detail.
Platforms may eventually be required to restrict access, deactivate accounts or provide a way to preserve appropriate data.
Parents should wait for official platform and government instructions before attempting to close accounts or download large amounts of personal information.
In the meantime, it may be helpful to identify any photographs, creative work or important contacts that a child would not want to lose.
What should parents do now?
Parents and children do not need to take formal action yet.
A sensible preparation process could include:
Discussing the expected changes calmly.
Understanding which services your child currently uses.
Asking what needs those services meet, such as friendship, creativity or entertainment.
Reviewing privacy, contact and reporting settings together.
Identifying important memories or creative work stored in accounts.
Exploring age-appropriate alternatives without presenting the change as a punishment.
Children will still need safe opportunities to communicate, create and develop digital skills.
See how Liaura works as a private social and learning space designed for primary-age children and people they already know.
Frequently asked questions
Is Instagram included in the UK social media ban?
Instagram is expected to be affected and has been named by the government as an example of the kind of platform included in the model.
Its final UK status will be confirmed through the regulations.
Will TikTok and Snapchat be banned for under-16s?
TikTok and Snapchat are expected to be among the covered social media services.
However, the final legally confirmed list and implementation process have not yet been published.
Will WhatsApp be banned for children under 16?
The government does not currently intend to include dedicated messaging services such as WhatsApp and Signal in the social media ban.
These services will still be subject to other applicable online-safety requirements.
Will YouTube be included?
YouTube has been named as an example of a platform expected to be covered.
How educational content, child-specific services and different parts of the platform will be treated remains to be confirmed.
Will Roblox be banned?
A blanket ban on gaming services has not been announced.
Gaming platforms are more likely to face restrictions on functions such as livestreaming and communication with strangers.
Roblox has not been confirmed on a final legal platform list.
When will the final list be published?
The government intends to lay the first regulations before Parliament by the end of 2026.
Further information should become available as the regulations and Ofcom’s implementation guidance are developed.
The key point for parents
Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, Facebook and X are the clearest current examples of platforms expected to be affected.
WhatsApp and Signal are not presently intended to be included, while gaming services are more likely to face feature-level restrictions.
The list is not final.
Parents should treat current platform names as informed examples—not confirmed legal classifications—and check for updated government or Ofcom guidance before making decisions.
