Five big questions about the UK's under-16s social media ban
A ban is coming - but it's still not clear what it will mean for sites including Roblox, YouTube and WhatsApp.
Coverage by Political Leaning
See how different sides of the spectrum reported this story
Notable Quotes
"It is not yet clear how they will treat gaming sites."
— Lorna Woods , Academic
"the changes were a 'line in the sand' for tech companies that had failed to keep children safe."
— Keir Starmer , Politician
"It is a line in the sand for tech companies."
— Keir Starmer , Politician
"the ban will lead to 'the introduction of Digital ID via the back door.'"
— Nigel Farage , Politician
"I just don't accept that."
— Keir Starmer , Politician
"There are a 'host of ways' a young person could circumvent a ban that don’t require a VPN connection."
— James Baker , Activist
"There is very little, if any, causal research in the early years."
— Denis Mareschal , Academic
"The impact of digital devices or social media on adolescent brains amounted to almost nothing."
— Sarah-Jayne Blakemore , Academic
"Time spent on a device is time not spent playing or interacting with others."
— Dusana Dorjee , Academic
Key People
Director of the Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development at Birkbeck College.
Researcher at the University of York.
James Baker is the Platform Power and Freedom of Expression Programme Manager at Open Rights Group.
British Prime Minister and leader of the Labour Party.
Lorna Woods is a professor of internet law at Essex University.
Nigel Farage is a British politician known for his role in the UK Independence Party and his stance on Brexit.
Professor at the University of Cambridge.
Tags
All Coverage
A ban is coming - but it's still not clear what it will mean for sites including Roblox, YouTube and WhatsApp.
Parents express mixed reactions to the UK's proposed social media ban for under-16s, with some supporting the move and others questioning its effectiveness and potential unintended consequences.
Nigel Farage criticizes the UK's proposed social media ban for under-16s, questioning its effectiveness due to potential VPN usage, while experts discuss possible circumvention methods and enforcement challenges.
Despite limited scientific evidence linking phone use to harm in children, the UK government proceeds with a social media ban for under-16s, raising questions about the basis for such policy decisions.
The success of the UK's proposed social media ban for under-16s depends on its strict enforcement, with concerns about potential workarounds and the need for robust age verification methods.
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