The government said the ban would " include platforms like Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and X" but not messaging services such as WhatsApp.

The U.K. seems to be following Australia's lead in banning a wide swath of social media for teens.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to introduce an Australia-style social media ban for younger teenagers and bar under-16s from apps like TikTok, Instagram, and X.