New UK Social Media Laws: What Parents and Carers need to know
Helping families understand the latest changes to online safety and how they aim to create a safer digital world for children and young people.
The online world plays a huge role in the lives of children and young people, and new laws introduced in the UK are designed to make social media platforms safer and more accountable.
What is changing?
Under the Online Safety Act, social media companies and websites now have a legal duty to protect children from harmful content. Platforms must take stronger action to prevent young people from being exposed to material relating to:
- Self-harm and suicide
- Eating disorders
- Pornography
- Violence and hate speech
- Dangerous challenges and harmful trends
- Bullying and abuse
Companies that fail to comply can face significant fines and sanctions.
Stronger age checks
Many online services are now required to use more effective age verification measures to ensure children cannot easily access age-inappropriate content. This means young people may notice additional checks when creating accounts or accessing certain websites.
A proposed ban for under 16s
In June 2026, the UK Government announced plans to introduce restrictions on social media use for children under 16. The proposals are expected to come into force in 2027 and would apply to major platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook and X. The detailed regulations are still being developed by Ofcom.
What does this mean for families?
While these new laws place greater responsibility on technology companies, parents and carers still play a vital role in helping children navigate the online world safely.
Practical tips for families
- Talk regularly about what your child does online.
- Keep devices in shared family spaces where possible.
- Encourage children to tell a trusted adult if something online worries or upsets them.
- Use parental controls and privacy settings.
- Set healthy boundaries around screen time and social media use.
- Remember that age ratings exist for a reason, many social media platforms have a minimum age requirement of 13 years.
Where can I find more support?
🏛️ Government Guidance
The Government’s Online Safety information can be found here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/online-safety-act
📱 Ofcom’s Guide for Parents
Ofcom has produced a helpful guide explaining how the new protections work:
https://www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safety/protecting-children/how-ofcom-is-helping-children-to-be-safer-online-a-guide-for-parents
💻 Internet Matters
Advice, parental controls and age guides:
https://www.internetmatters.org
Remember…
No law can replace open conversations, trust and digital awareness. By staying informed and maintaining regular conversations about online life, parents and carers can help children enjoy the benefits of technology while staying safe and supported.
Thank you for reading
Written by Natalie Hollins,
Parent Support Associate
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