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 2 months ago by Tarambor@lemmy.world to c/technology@lemmy.world
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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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[–] HexesofVexes@lemmy.world 1 points 2 months ago (25 children)

I'm not entirely sure how that's panning out in Aus (a quick search suggests it's a flop, but the sources aren't great). I think the general consensus is that it's not as enforceable as they hoped.

We are moving towards an era of a more locked down web in the UK. The main flag here is "robust age verification" - i.e. we're moving from "you must provide ID to view adult material on social media" to "you must provide ID to use social media".

One can quickly see "your id must be retained and linked to your account to reduce crime" and "any officer of the law may view this ID to better support crime reduction" slipping in over the next 20 years or so.

Overall, this feels like another Trojan horse to move towards a China-style de-anonymised web. Bad move all around really.

[–] minorkeys@sh.itjust.works 0 points 2 months ago (14 children)

You're right, and it's failure will be the excuse to deprive us all of more of our privacy and autonomy.

[–] kurikai@lemmy.world -1 points 2 months ago (12 children)

you mean we have privacy now? you know these social media companies already gave info on you even if you dont sign up.

its good if social media companies cant get kids into doomscrolling

[–] edwardbear@lemmy.world 0 points 2 months ago (1 children)

You have the means, ways and most importantly, it is still legal to obtain privacy, though, right?

[–] kurikai@lemmy.world -1 points 2 months ago

yeah just dont use it

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