UK plans social media ban for children under 16

Yesterday, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that his government will ban children under 16 from social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, X and YouTube. The ban, expected to be approved by Parliament and start early next year, will also limit live-streaming and talking to strangers on games and other sites. Starmer said the move protects children’s safety. Social media has exposed millions of young users to addiction, anxiety, cyberbullying, depression, disrupted sleep, explicit content, low self-esteem and predators. Many are noting that relying on bureaucratic policy to govern social media use, rather than parents, necessitates granting the government even greater surveillance powers over all citizens under—and over—age 16.