Social Media to be Banned for Children Under 16 in Great Britain
Great Britain plans to ban the use of social media for children under 16. This was announced by the country's Prime Minister Keir Starmer. New restrictions could come into force as early as next spring, reports The Guardian.

Illustrative photo. Photo: Nasha Niva
According to the provisions of the new law, teenagers under 16 will be prohibited from downloading and using major social platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat, TikTok, and X. Additional restrictions will also be introduced for online games — for example, a ban on communicating with strangers, and individuals under 18 will be prohibited from using chatbots that simulate romantic or sexual relationships.
Companies Meta, YouTube, and Snapchat criticized the initiative. They argue that a complete ban could deter teenagers from safer and controlled services, forcing them to switch to less reliable and unregulated platforms.
Keir Starmer stated that social media can negatively affect children's mental health, promoting bullying and online harassment. He emphasized that while the government is not opposed to technology and artificial intelligence, it considers the protection of children to be its main priority.
According to the British Prime Minister, even if some teenagers find ways to circumvent the ban, it does not mean it should be abandoned. He compared the situation to the ban on selling alcohol to minors: violations of the rules do not negate the necessity of the rules themselves.
The initiative was supported by many parents and public activists, including families who believe that social media played a role in tragedies involving their children. The UK government reported that about nine out of ten parents who participated in a public discussion supported setting a minimum age of 16 for access to such services.
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