It appears that GTA 6 players under the age of 16 will be exempt from the upcoming social media ban introduced by the Labour government in the UK. Reading that sentence, something seems off, doesn’t it? That’s because Rockstar Games’ Grand Theft Auto series carries an 18 age rating in the UK, and that includes GTA V, GTA Online, and of course, the upcoming GTA 6.
Yet, as we all know, age ratings have never truly stopped us from playing video games or watching movies when we’re underage. There is a moral grey area, but many of us would have played GTA: San Andreas before our 18th birthday — you know it’s true.
How Could GTA 6 Be Exempt From The Social Media Ban?
While the next iteration of GTA Online won’t launch alongside GTA 6, it’s very likely that by the time it does arrive, the under-16 social media ban in the UK will be in motion, which is expected to be around Spring 2027.
As brought to attention by money and law expert Martin Lewis, the UK’s Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) is reportedly considering not including online gaming in the upcoming social media ban — and that could include GTA Online.
“It seems @DCMS is considering exempting online games from the U-16s social media ban. Yet online games are already exempt from scam ads regulations due to come in next year, and scams are rife there. The two do not work together. STOP THE SCAMMERS!” — Martin Lewis
The government’s fact sheet confirms that children will “still be able to access the online world safely for learning, news, games and staying in touch with known friends and family”. Additionally, the UK plans to follow Australia’s model, where online gaming platforms like Roblox are explicitly exempt from the social media ban.
However, the government has also stated that high-risk features — including livestreaming and strangers being able to contact children — will be restricted for under-16s on other online services like gaming. This means that even if the ban itself doesn’t apply, the Online Safety Act’s child safety duties will still regulate how games handle communication features.
Will The Social Media Ban Stop Under-16s From Playing 18-Rated Games?
You’ve likely seen the reports coming out of Australia, a country that imposed its own under-16 social media ban in December 2025. However, while millions of underage accounts were removed, it never took long for those teenagers to find a way around the law. I’d be very surprised if something similar doesn’t happen in the UK next year.
The government itself acknowledges that “no ban can ever be entirely watertight” and that “some children will inevitably seek to circumvent age restrictions”. Meanwhile, the Online Safety Act already requires “highly effective” age assurance — not just a simple pop-up asking for a birth date. Ofcom has been clear that age verification must be robust, with methods including facial recognition checks.
For GTA Online, Rockstar has reportedly been preparing age verification mechanisms since 2025, with the UK expected to be the first testing ground. Features like text chat, Snapmatic, and in-game messaging may become gated behind age checks. This aligns with the Online Safety Act’s requirements for platforms to prevent children from accessing harmful content.
A Moral Grey Area
While there does need to be regulation on children accessing social media, the exemption raises genuine concerns. Social media can be a great educational tool, but there are also many things children should never see — and it’s the latter that needs regulating.
That being said, last year’s age verification is “optional,” yet it appears many are against it. After all, why should anyone trust third-party companies with sensitive data like driver’s licenses and passports, especially when data breaches are common?
Yet it feels like the only way for governments to push people into the age-verification process is by proving we’re all not under 16 — otherwise, we risk being locked out of accounts we’ve had for years.
It all seems a bit convenient. It’s also not outside the realm of possibility that this could eventually impact GTA Online, and if so, it will be a strong tactic to push gamers into sharing personal data for “safety”; otherwise, they won’t be playing their video games.
Also, Read
- GTA 6 Teases The 2026 Return Of A Popular San Andreas Feature
- GTA 6 60 FPS Limitations Fuel Desires For Day-One PC Port
- Xbox User Grabs GTA 6 For Free Thanks To ‘Wild’ Workaround
The Bottom Line
The exemption of online gaming from the UK’s under-16 social media ban creates a curious moral dilemma. On one hand, it allows young players to continue accessing games like GTA 6 — despite the game carrying an 18 rating. On the other, it exposes them to the very online harms the legislation is designed to prevent.
As the ban approaches in Spring 2027, how this tension between protection and access is resolved will depend on how strictly the government enforces the Online Safety Act’s child safety duties on gaming platforms.
Grand Theft Auto VI will be released on 19 November 2026 on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. When the date for the next iteration of GTA Online drops, we’ll be sure to let you know.