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.

  • minorkeys@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    6·
    2 days ago

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

    • kurikai@lemmy.worldEnglish
      03·
      2 days ago

      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

      • Noja@sopuli.xyzEnglish
        4·
        2 days ago

        They don’t have a copy of my passport and a video of me holding it. They also don’t have a 3D scan of my face, which is what all these age verification companies want from you. They literally use AI while you are filming yourself to 3D scan your face for the Palantir database.

      • edwardbear@lemmy.worldEnglish
        2·
        2 days ago

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

      • WolfmanEightySix@piefed.socialEnglish
        1·
        2 days ago

        It’s not about that though is it? There’s a world of difference in SM companies knowing what I like to look at (Tools and steam engines mostly) and them having access to my actual address, my actual date of birth, my actual current face…

        • minorkeys@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
          0·
          1 day ago

          Do you even know the extent of things they know and what that information allows them to derive about you? They know the patterns of life of billions of people. You’re just a pattern to match with everyone else just like you.