UK Bans Social Media Access for Under-16s in Child Safety Push

London: The United Kingdom on Monday banned social media use for children under 16, and Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated thay the move is aimed at protecting children’s wellbeing. With this Britain has become the fourth country, after Australia, Indonesia and Malaysia.

Why did UK ban social media?

Amid growing concerns about the mental and social health of children, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that social media platforms will be banned for children under the age of 16. The government believes this step is necessary to protect children from the negative influences of the online world.

Which platforms will the ban apply to?

According to information, like in Australia, children under the age of 16 in the UK will also not be able to access TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Reddit, Facebook, X, Threads, Snapchat, Twitch and Kik etc. Many countries are moving towards banning social media due to its impact on children's mental health.

What about games?

In the UK, not only are social media apps being banned for children, but there are also plans to tighten the screws on gaming apps and other apps. Gaming apps won't be banned for now, but they will have to remove features like chatting with strangers for children. Similarly, access to romantic and sexual chatbots will be restricted for users under 18. The government will rely on existing laws for this, and new laws may also be enacted if necessary. An age verification system is already in place here for the safety of children online, but now more strictness is being imposed on social media.

Which othere countries have banned social media?

The UK isn't the first country to take this step. Countries like Australia, Canada, Brazil, and Indonesia have also enacted laws or announced age-based restrictions to regulate children's social media access.
Experts believe that excessive social media use can impact children's mental health, sleep, and education. Britain's decision could set an example for other countries in the future.

Australia was the first to take the initiative, banning social media for children under the age of 16. Following this, many other countries have also begun considering this approach. In Greece, children under the age of 15 will be barred from accessing social media from next year.