Under-16 social media ban: what is impact on esports in the UK?
16 June 2026
You may not have heard yet, but today, the United Kingdom’s Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, has concrete plans to implement a nation-wide ban on social media for people younger than 16 years old. It forms part of a wider manifesto for child safety legislation on the internet and is set to come into force on January 1st, 2027. Besides the usual social media platforms, the document also mentions livestreaming and game services. So, what will be the impact of the proposed social media ban for under-16s on esports in the UK?
Social media ban for under-16s
The Labor Party is set on improving online protection of children and they believe restrictions in how social media can be used is a step in that direction. Restrictions for people younger than 16 years that is, because they will be banned from social media from January 1st, 2027, onwards. Social media platforms will be forbidden to offer their services to people younger than 16 in the United Kingdom, which will include livestreaming, user-to-user (peer-to-peer) content and online communication.
Parents want to keep their kids safe and happy, but the online world has made that harder than ever”, says Keir Starmer, Prime Minister of the UK, “I’ve heard first hand from families crying out for change and we will do right by them. That’s why we’re going further than any country in the world by banning social media for under-16s and putting wider protections in place to give kids their childhood back.”
Impact on esports in the UK
While esports in the UK themselves are not directly affected by the proposed social media ban for under-16s, fans and players might still feel its effects. Livestreaming for example, which is particularly popular in the world of gaming and esports, will no longer be allowed for people younger than 16 years.
The government also wants to improve safety when it comes to what they call “communication with strangers”. This refers to methods that can be used by unknown users to contact other users and possibly children. So far, the Labor Party manifesto states that “this includes gaming services but will not affect the ability for children to participate in multiplayer games online”. We hope to get more information in this regard from the authorities soon.
FAQ / Frequently Asked Questions?
- When will the ban on social media for under-16s start?
On Monday, June 15th (2026), UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, announced that the United Kingdom will be implementing a social media ban for people younger than 16 years. This includes platforms like Instagram, TikTok and X.
- Will esports still be legal after the social media ban for under-16s?
While esports in the UK themselves remain largely unaffected, related services such as Twitch and other livestreaming platforms might face restrictions. The extent of these restrictions will hopefully become clearer this summer, when Labor is set to release more information regarding the social media ban for under-16s in the UK.