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UK: Under-16s to be banned from social media, Starmer announces (www.bbc.co.uk)
submitted 1 month ago by to c/technology@lemmy.world
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Under-16s will be banned from using social media, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced.

Starmer says social media is making children unhappy, making it easier for bullies to abuse children, and is "designed to be addictive". A ban would give children more time, security, and more freedom to grow up - as well as more opportunities, he adds.

"That is all any parent wants. They want to know that Britain will be better for their children, that they will get a fair chance," the PM says in a speech in Downing Street.

Starmer adds that the government is "not prepared to compromise" on the safety and happiness of children - and that includes in the regulation and enforcement of this ban. He says the government has listened to and learned from countries like Australia, where a similar ban has already been introduced.

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[–] 3 points 1 month ago (1 child)

That's the problem with this panic. Everybody is using a different definition of social media. You and the other guy don't hate social media, you hate Meta, X, and TikTok. And the government hates that too but also defines the Fediverse and forums in general, plus video games and anywhere else you might talk to another human being as social media as well.

So if you're on a social media site like Lemmy or Piefed and you're complaining about how evil and addictive social media is, the government is going to read that and think "My god! This poor person is in trouble! They're screaming for my help! I must pass a law to ban Lemmy and liberate Derpgon from they're horrible addiction to the Fediverse! That's what Derpgon wants!"

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