this post was submitted on 15 Jun 2026
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199
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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[–] Goodeye8@piefed.social 2 points 3 hours ago (1 children)

If only I could be this naive. First of all this isn't going to do much to prevent kids from getting online unless the measures to prevent it become absolutely oppressive. And secondly the bare minimum check requires you to give even me information to the social media companies. And I guarantee they won't be held accountable if kids find a way to bypass whatever measures get put in place. And of course adults are just as addicted to it as kids but I guess they don't matter.

If the goal was to reduce the amount of people addicted to social media the solution would be to regulate how social media functions not regulate access to social media. What is being suggested is stupid. You can't ban things on the internet.

[–] kurikai@lemmy.world 1 points 2 hours ago (1 children)

you cant ban things but somehow you can regulate? lol

[–] Goodeye8@piefed.social 1 points 1 hour ago

You can't ban car crashes. You can regulate car manufacturers to install seatbelts to minimize injury.