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 19 hours ago by Tarambor@lemmy.world to c/technology@lemmy.world
134 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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[โ€“] godsammitdam@lemmy.zip 5 points 5 hours ago* (last edited 4 hours ago)

It's a moral panic being co-opted by those in power. (Ironically, many of those in power being predators themselves, especially here in the US where they're a major political party ๐Ÿ™ƒ)

Some I can think of off the top of my head:

  • The Patriot Act
  • COINTELPRO
  • The Satanic Panic and resultant legislation
  • The War on Drugs

Legitimate concern gets amplified to a moral panic and then legislation is quickly put forth but is never tested or thoroughly understood. And given that most legislation today is written by lobbyists...well ๐Ÿคทโ€โ™‚๏ธ

I'm sure stupidity is a part of it, but that might be a bit too convenient. It's usually some genuine intention that then gets swept up and captured by malicious infrastructure. They know what they're doing. They're narcissists, unempathetic, and the most willing to exploit. Capitalism in a nutshell.

That's why I'm saying hold the parents and the corporations accountable. Peel back data collection and restrict algorithmic content altogether. Enforce/provide parental education for online technologies and children. Basically, pay attention to your kids, be interested in them and their lives. The infrastructure exists on these social media platforms to restrict and monitor access, as well as it exists at the router level and at the device level as well. It's the parents who purchase the device and provide internet access. Would we be ok with in home governmental inspections on all of us so that kids can't have access to a gun or alcohol? No, it's up to the parent to protect their child from danger. Why is this any different? Why should we all give up our privacy?