Under-16s to be banned from social media by next spring, Starmer says
www.bbc.co.uk
A 13-year-old pupil from Manchester says "it's time" for something to be done, while another says he's "annoyed and disappointed".

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.

  • gian English
    3·
    5 hours ago

    When people say this, I always think about how we ID for alcohol. If it’s the parents responsibility, they should never let their kid be able to go to the store to buy alcohol in the first place. The store shouldn’t have to ID people. Except most people don’t make this argument. I suppose if you agree with that statement, then you’d be consistent.

    One could argue that kids can go to shops that sell also alcohol, but I can get the logic.
    Problem is that a parent cannot check on their kids 24/7, so maybe having a check other than the parent could be a good idea.
    Stores should absolutely check for ID since there is no way for them to verify that the parents did their job.