After Monday’s announcement, the UK is set to ban social media for under-16s, but many details remain unclear. What does this mean for gaming sites like Roblox? Will YouTube still be accessible? Why are certain apps exempt?
The government has only specified a few platforms: Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and X. But what about more popular ones like Roblox? Despite Roblox's attempts to protect its users, it’s not yet clear if they will fall under the ban.
YouTube is included, but YouTube Kids is not – leaving questions over educational content. Google claims 95% of UK teens use YouTube for school work, so how can this be balanced with a ban?
Why aren’t platforms like WhatsApp and Pinterest banned? The government defines the restrictions to cover social interaction apps that allow material posting. This means messaging apps are excluded, leaving questions about whether other apps like Discord or Bluesky might be included.
The enforcement of these bans is also up in the air. How will age verification work? Will it involve facial recognition and digital identity services?
