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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Nicole Wootton-Cane

Social media ban for under-16s a ‘missed opportunity’, critics say as they outline three major issues

  • The Prime Minister announced sweeping reforms to ban under-16s from social media platforms such as TikTok and Snapchat from as early as next spring.
  • The new rules will prevent children under 16 from joining user-to-user platforms, livestreaming, or communicating with strangers, while AI chatbots simulating romantic or sexual relationships will require users to be 18.
  • While welcomed by the NSPCC as a "win for children and parents", the ban has faced criticism from campaigners and MPs.
  • Critics argue the ban is a "missed opportunity" that risks driving young people into "darker places" online and fails to hold big tech companies accountable.
  • Concerns also include the potential negative impact on marginalised young people who use social media for support, and the ban's implications for 16 and 17-year-olds' access to information for democratic engagement.

IN FULL

Fears Starmer’s ‘rush job’ social media reforms could send children to ‘darker places’ online

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