UK Announced Sweeping Ban On Social Media For Under 16

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced a sweeping ban on social media use for those under 16, joining other countries around the world seeking to protect children online. “It’s a big step for our country,” Starmer said in a recorded video message released Monday. “Social media is making our children unhappy and unsafe, and as a parent, as much as a Prime Minister, I just can’t let that go on anymore,” he added. The ban will include social platforms like Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and X, while there is no intention for messaging services like WhatsApp and Signal to be included, the government said in a release. Starmer’s government had been considering tougher limits on children’s social media as governments around the world face growing pressure to curb young people’s time online.

Advertisements

The push gained momentum after Australia became the first country to pass a law barring children under 16 from accessing major social media platforms, an effort aimed at addressing the concerns about the physical and mental health effects of excessive online use. The announcement also follows a national consultation survey that received more than 116,000 responses between March 2 and May 26 and solicited public opinions on children’s use of technology. More than 83% of parents who responded said the risks of social media use outweigh the benefits, according to the consultation, and 90% expressed support for a minimum age of 16 before children can access social media platforms.

Source: NBC News