this post was submitted on 15 Jun 2026
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371
UK: Under-16s to be banned from social media, Starmer announces (www.bbc.co.uk)
submitted 1 day ago by Tarambor@lemmy.world to c/technology@lemmy.world
175 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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[–] Kuma@lemmy.world 6 points 17 hours ago (2 children)

I think this is a very interesting topic. How can you verify that someone is of age without the problem with privacy?

Would you go to a kiosk or something and buy a code that is not bound to you as a person but the person who works there have verified that you are over 16? So it will kinda be like a steam code except they need to check your actual age with a valid identification (that is only shown to the person) and that code will be bound to an account when claimed. If it is per account then that could also make it annoying for kids to create multiple accounts if they aren't of age.

How else could you do it without needing to trust someone to keep your identity safe?

Throw your ideas at me!

And we do not need perfect, look at alcohol consumptions, that is illegal for kids but some find their ways anyway. It just needs to be annoying so most don't do it or do it less

[–] wpb@lemmy.world 2 points 5 hours ago (1 children)

How can you verify that someone is of age without the problem with privacy?

That's the neat part!

[–] Kuma@lemmy.world 1 points 4 hours ago

Awww come on. Come up with some fun ideas!

There are no bad ideas, this is a safe space.

It is when we put them in action they could be bad (we have seen some versions already).

[–] Buckshot@programming.dev 4 points 12 hours ago (1 children)

A better example for me is driving, we don't let children drive, millions of children have access to cars, there's no age gate on the ignition.

Ultimately its the parents that stop kids driving.

Ban kids from using it. Then treat it like a public health problem and educate everybody on the problems, how to identify misinformation, keep themselves safe etc. And require the companies to provide the tools parents can use to protect their own kids. Parental controls exist but i feel they aren't widely used because it's difficult and complicated.

I'd go further and start regulating the use of algorithmic feeds for everybody but that's probably harder to achieve.

[–] Kuma@lemmy.world 2 points 4 hours ago

that was a good example.

So the police do checks when something seems off, they get a tip or just random checks (which could just be them looking at feeds) so everyone follows the law and parents has the biggest responsibility to make sure the kids follow the law/rules/ban/stay safe.

I like your solution, I would add that we should also add education about internet security (the things you wrote) in the curriculum. And also educate/inform parents at the school yearly or something like that as part of it.

Wouldn't the last one (algorithm) be what they kinda try to do now (like Discord blocks you from 18+ stuff) and that is why they need to know your age so kids won't se some stuff that adults can?