The UK has announced it is going to block social media for under-16s.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said that the ban would take effect in early 2027.

He said keeping children off social media was "the right step for Britain" and the best way to keep them safe online.

Which social media platforms will be banned?

The ban will cover platforms including Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and X, the government said.

The measures will also require platforms to prevent children from being able to livestream across apps, including on gaming platforms.

However, it has not released an exhaustive list of which platforms it will apply to.

The government said it did not intend to include messaging services like WhatsApp and Signal in the social media ban.

It said it was also looking into introducing curfews to stop older teens, aged 16 and 17, scrolling late at night - saying more detail on this would be set out in July.

But restrictions on livestreaming and preventing strangers from being able to connect with children would also be required to be turned on by default for under 17 year olds, it added.

Most social media platforms already require children to be over 13 to create an account and use their services.

When will the restrictions be introduced?

The prime minister said the government plans to pass regulations before Christmas, which would allow the measures to come into place in early 2027.

He said the government had already introduced legislation allowing it to take this kind of action.