British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced a comprehensive ban on social media platforms for children under 16, aligning the UK with a growing number of countries imposing online restrictions on minors. The move aims to reflect British values, protect children online, and curb the power of big tech companies.

At a press conference on Monday, Starmer stated, “It is clear to me a full ban is the right choice. This will change the conversations that parents have and the expectations of children over time. It will make our children safer, happier, and give them more time and freedom to grow up.”

The ban will target platforms such as TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram. Additionally, the government will take action against gaming and livestreaming services that allow children to interact with strangers. Starmer questioned, “Is there a situation in the offline world where you would just let your child pair up with a stranger, an adult that you don’t know anything about? No, so we’re taking action on that.”

The prime minister warned that social media platforms are “exposing them to content that is dangerous” and “designed to be addictive.” He hopes to pass the regulation by late December, with the ban coming into force in spring next year.

The government also plans to consider overnight curfews and breaks in infinite scrolling for under-18s, with further details expected in July. Starmer cited Australia's example, which became the first nation to ban under-16s from social media in December. Canada has also proposed similar legislation.

A YouTube spokesperson responded with a warning that such a blanket ban could push children towards “less safe services.”

Source: www.aljazeera.com