Storbritanniens Starmer tillkännager förbud mot sociala medier för barn under 16 år | NTD NYHETER

The United Kingdom is banning social media apps for children under the age of 16. The goal is to protect kids from possible harms posed by such apps. NDD's international correspondent Arjan Pasdar has more. The government will ban access to social media for all children under the age of 16. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday saying he plans to ban social media sites for under 16-year-olds and impose restrictions on gaming and live streaming platforms. Britain will use a similar model to Australia, which enacted a ban last December. The plan covers platforms such as YouTube, Facebook and X. Do we truly believe that social media creates a happy environment for our children? Do we truly believe that it's a place where they can feel safe? I don't think I even need to answer those questions, do I? The UK has increasingly toughened its approach to tech companies in recent years, forcing some to impose age verification, adapt their algorithms and more. Starmer says his choice to take it a step further comes after speaking to parents and considering the evidence from Australia. Social media is making children unhappy. It's making it easier for bullies to harass and abuse them. And it could even be harming their mental health. Exposing them to content that is dangerous, because that's what grabs the attention. It's designed to be addictive. A survey done by the British government found that more than 83% of parents say risks from social media outweigh the benefits and 90% are backing a minimum age of 16 to access social media platforms. But a professor at the University of East London says parents also have to play a role. We need an understanding amongst parents that the ban is not the only solution. She added that social media companies should also be made to make their apps less addictive. Starmer says the government already has the power to start the ban. Regulation is set to follow by the end of the year and a prohibition in place around next spring. Arjen Pastaar, NTD News.