US EditionBritish teens resist Australian-style social media ban
Most British teens at a south London school oppose banning social media under 16 despite risks; experts question ban effectiveness as one-fifth of Australian teens still use platforms post-ban.
- The UK government is running a public consultation that closes in May on restricting social media for under-16s, potentially following Australia’s ban amid rising concerns about risks to children.
- Teenagers described Snapchat, Instagram and TikTok as helpful for socialising but left some unhappy, and despite risks, most opposed a ban; Osando said some would use VPNs or the dark web if banned.
- Snapchat and Instagram point to safety features like Snapchat’s protections for 13 to 17-year-olds and Instagram Teen Accounts’ 60-minute screen limit, but Australian industry data showed one-fifth under 16 still used social media after the ban.
- Several experts told lawmakers that there is no clear evidence bans work, Ofcom reported in 2022 that six in ten children aged eight to 12 had social media profiles, and Professor Sonia Livingstone warned a ban is 'a very blunt hammer to crack a nut'.
- Experts warn big tech platforms are designed to harness attention, teen users face distressing material, and Ms Joelle Azebaze Ayangma, 18, said, 'And that's really crushing people's self-esteem,' amid concerns about AI-generated content.
9 Articles
9 Articles
Our survey: Members convincingly back the new Conservative policy of banning under 16s from social media
That 64.5 percent of our members survey are in favour of banning under 16’s from social media is quite a sea change. Societally it has ‘something of a journey.’ I have been on it. Two of my children are over 16. The eldest in their twenties, the second late teens. And they loved and still love their screens. I definitely allowed a smart phone too soon, and know that it’s my fault when I observe even today that they can spend way too much time j…
The British government is considering a ban on social media for under 16-year-olds on the Australian model. Despite the known risks such as bullying, misinformation or harmful content, most students reject the push.
Australia’s under-16 social media ban: A debate that continues - The Indian Sun
Australia’s decision to restrict social media use for people under 16 has sparked considerable debate. Public opinion is mixed, but there are broadly three categories of people who have aired their views and have their own take on the subject. People who support the ban include many parents, child safety experts and some educators. They have endorsed the legislation and believe it is a harbinger of hope. They adduce reasons such as mental health…
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