Captured source text (L5)
Future expansions to age restrictions
In June 2026, the UK Government announced a package of age restriction measures intended to strengthen protections for children online. These include banning social media providers from offering services to under-16s. They also include restricting under-16s’ access to features like livestreaming and strangers communicating with children, while ensuring these features are turned off by default for 16- and 17-year-olds. The government has made it clear that the use of highly effective age assurance will be critical to the successful implementation of these restrictions. Ahead of parliamentary debate on these restrictions, we have produced a [rapid assessment](/online-safety/protecting-children/rapid-assessment-of-highly-effective-age-assurance-at-16) of what highly effective age assurance could look like for determining whether someone is over 16.
The UK Government has stated that it intends to lay the first regulations related to age restrictions on social media services before Parliament by the end of 2026. We plan to consult on draft guidance for services on highly effective age assurance at 16 in the coming months, following the laying of the draft regulations.
In the meantime, the existing duties for Part 3 services continue to apply.
Full captured verbatim text
In June 2026, the UK Government announced a package of age restriction measures intended to strengthen protections for children online. These include banning social media providers from offering services to under-16s. They also include restricting under-16s’ access to features like livestreaming and strangers communicating with children, while ensuring these features are turned off by default for 16- and 17-year-olds. The government has made it clear that the use of highly effective age assurance will be critical to the successful implementation of these restrictions. Ahead of parliamentary debate on these restrictions, we have produced a [rapid assessment](/online-safety/protecting-children/rapid-assessment-of-highly-effective-age-assurance-at-16) of what highly effective age assurance could look like for determining whether someone is over 16. The UK Government has stated that it intends to lay the first regulations related to age restrictions on social media services before Parliament by the end of 2026. We plan to consult on draft guidance for services on highly effective age assurance at 16 in the coming months, following the laying of the draft regulations. In the meantime, the existing duties for Part 3 services continue to apply.