UK Weighs Social Media Ban for Under-16 Users, Citing Australian Precedent
The UK government has kicked off a consultation process that could lead to a social media ban for users under 16 years old. This move comes on the heels of Australia's pioneering legislation, which has been in effect since December and applies to several prominent platforms, including Facebook, TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube.
As part of this effort, the UK will be seeking feedback from parents and young people themselves, as well as consulting with Australian officials who have firsthand experience with the country's recently implemented social media ban. British politicians are keenly aware of concerns raised by parents about online content, having already introduced measures such as age checks for websites publishing pornography.
The proposed ban would not only restrict access to certain platforms but also explore ways to enforce limits on tech companies' data access and limit features that promote addictive behavior, such as "infinite scrolling." The UK's existing Online Safety Act has been in force since 2023, requiring websites to conduct age checks for users accessing explicit content.
The announcement coincides with a House of Lords vote set to decide on an amendment to the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill. If successful, this would lead to the implementation of a social media ban within a year. As social media use continues to dominate the lives of young people, policymakers are increasingly seeking ways to regulate the online environment and mitigate its potential risks.
The UK government has kicked off a consultation process that could lead to a social media ban for users under 16 years old. This move comes on the heels of Australia's pioneering legislation, which has been in effect since December and applies to several prominent platforms, including Facebook, TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube.
As part of this effort, the UK will be seeking feedback from parents and young people themselves, as well as consulting with Australian officials who have firsthand experience with the country's recently implemented social media ban. British politicians are keenly aware of concerns raised by parents about online content, having already introduced measures such as age checks for websites publishing pornography.
The proposed ban would not only restrict access to certain platforms but also explore ways to enforce limits on tech companies' data access and limit features that promote addictive behavior, such as "infinite scrolling." The UK's existing Online Safety Act has been in force since 2023, requiring websites to conduct age checks for users accessing explicit content.
The announcement coincides with a House of Lords vote set to decide on an amendment to the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill. If successful, this would lead to the implementation of a social media ban within a year. As social media use continues to dominate the lives of young people, policymakers are increasingly seeking ways to regulate the online environment and mitigate its potential risks.
?! 
I'm kinda torn on this whole thing tho... my little sis is only 13 and she's literally glued to her phone 
. Like, I get why parents are worried but at the same time, don't we need social media to express ourselves and connect with others? 
I mean, what about all the good creators out there who make content that promotes positivity and inclusivity? 
That gives me some hope that they'll figure out a way to balance our online freedom with keeping us safe. 
Maybe we can get some AI-powered moderation tools or something? 
. british ppl seem to be getting more aware of how much time kids are spending on their phones and it's like, totally unhealthy 
. i mean who doesnt remember those old days when we didnt have social media lol? but seriously though, its not just about the time spent online, its also about the stuff they see and interact with...like bullying, cyberstalkers...it gets serious 
I mean, don't get me wrong, parents have every right to worry about what their kids are putting on their devices, but a complete ban? That's like, taking away their freedom to be online and connect with friends 
. Australia's got this new law thing going on, but is it really effective? I bet it'll just create more loopholes for sneaky teens 
. And what about the impact on educational resources and research? Social media can be a powerful tool for learning... 
. but here's the thing: we can't just rely on tech companies to do the right thing – that's not gonna cut it. we need to have some real conversations about what's acceptable online and how we're gonna make sure our kids are ready for that world 
also, social media companies are already taking steps to regulate themselves, why do we need governments interfering? 
it's just gonna lead to a whole mess of censorship & stifling innovation 
! Think about it, most under-16s spend more time scrolling through their fave vids than even doing homework 
. It's like they're addicted 
. Australia's doing a great job with their ban and now the UK wants to follow suit? It's only fair that we give our young'uns some protection from all the negativity out there 
.
. We need to make sure tech companies are being held accountable for their role in creating these addictive features. Like, why do they keep putting "infinite scrolling" on our feeds? It's designed to keep us hooked, and it's having serious consequences for mental health.