Britain 'locks' social media for children; PM Keir Starmer makes BIG announcement

London: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday made a historic and tough announcement about the online safety of the country's young generation. The government is going to completely ban all children under the age of 16 from accessing major social media platforms, gaming apps and livestreaming services. The move is aimed at protecting children from harmful digital content, cyber bullying, inappropriate videos and negative effects on mental health.

What did Keir Starmer say? 

Unveiling the proposed legislation during a press conference in London, Prime Minister Starmer said, "I clearly think a total ban is the right option." It won't be easy, but it's the right decision. He acknowledged that implementing the policy would face challenges, but said the government was ready to take tough steps to curb the growing influence of technology companies.

Meanwhile, Starmer insisted that even if the big tech companies oppose it, we will go ahead with the proposal. We will not compromise on the safety and happiness of our children. He described the issue as 'one of the biggest debates of our time' and said the government was now on the side of families, not the status quo, which had not been proven to work for children.

What are highlights of the proposal? 

Children under the age of 16 will be barred from creating and using accounts on all major social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, X.
Strict age restrictions will also apply to gaming platforms and livestreaming services.
The government is aiming to implement the law early next year (likely in the spring).
The plan is to pass the bill in Parliament before Christmas.
Starmer claimed the UK move would be 'world-leading' in the world and could prove tougher than Australia's current ban. The UK is now joining a growing list of countries that are restricting children's access to social media. Australia has been at the forefront of this, where strict age-based restrictions have already been imposed. Canada, Brazil and Indonesia have also enacted or proposed similar laws. At the same time, countries like France, Spain, Denmark, Thailand and South Korea are also moving rapidly in this direction.

Why did YouTube protest against this decision? 

Responding immediately to the proposal, YouTube said the company has spent more than a decade developing age-appropriate experiences and safety measures for teens. The company warned that a complete ban could push children away from controlled and monitored platforms towards 'anonymous, less secure and unregulated' services. YouTube added that we continue to be an important and useful resource for youth, educators and parents. The company believes that better age verification and security tools should be emphasized instead of a complete ban