this post was submitted on 15 Jun 2026
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UK: Under-16s to be banned from social media, Starmer announces (www.bbc.co.uk)
submitted 7 hours ago by Tarambor@lemmy.world to c/technology@lemmy.world
83 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

Under-16s will be banned from using social media, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced.

Starmer says social media is making children unhappy, making it easier for bullies to abuse children, and is "designed to be addictive". A ban would give children more time, security, and more freedom to grow up - as well as more opportunities, he adds.

"That is all any parent wants. They want to know that Britain will be better for their children, that they will get a fair chance," the PM says in a speech in Downing Street.

Starmer adds that the government is "not prepared to compromise" on the safety and happiness of children - and that includes in the regulation and enforcement of this ban. He says the government has listened to and learned from countries like Australia, where a similar ban has already been introduced.

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[โ€“] notabot@piefed.social 7 points 6 hours ago* (last edited 6 hours ago) (1 children)

This is quite popular amongst parents where I am. There's also a big local push to avoid kids having smartphones before they're 13. Hopefully by that point they're mature enough to have a better understanding of what they're being exposed to, and are better equiped to know when to turn to an adult if something is upsetting or worrying them online.

Notably this isn't about restricting access to the internet, as kids have many other ways to get online at home, school, a friend's house, or even the library. Instead it's about ensuring they aren't exposing themselves to things they aren't ready for without an adult to guide them.

ETA: A lot of kids are pretty keen on this too, especially if they have had a bad experience online. The idea that none of their peers has a smartphone or social media means there's less peer pressure too.

[โ€“] toebert@piefed.social 2 points 2 hours ago

Thank you for the perspective.

I'm surprised parents think this is helping the issue though. I remember being bullied in school and going home after being beaten by other kids, before the time the internet became broadly available or smartphones existing.

Not that I don't think bullying is a problem, rather that this is duct tape with a side of privacy violation for everyone with barely a thought about how to even do the age verification well.

We are not seeing anything about funding the educational system, trying to attract more teachers, aiming for smaller class sizes, funding activities and clubs or more support for parents to spend time with their kids.