The UK government announced in June 2026 plans to restrict social media access for under-16s through secondary legislation under the Online Safety Act, modeled on Australia's approach and supplemented by functionality limits such as livestreaming and stranger contact rules. Regulations are scheduled for introduction before the end of 2026, with enforcement targeted for spring 2027, supported by enhanced age-assurance requirements and Ofcom oversight. Recent developments include ongoing legal challenges from platforms including Meta against Ofcom enforcement mechanisms, a parliamentary inquiry into the Act's implementation, and a large-scale trial of usage restrictions beginning in October 2026. These factors, alongside the need for platform compliance and potential court delays, shape trader assessments of whether restrictions will take effect within proposed windows.