The UK unveils a blanket social media ban for users under the age of 16

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer Announce His government on Monday decided to impose a ban on the use of social media for children under 16 years of age. The ban will apply to a range of social media platforms, including Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and X.

Messaging services such as WhatsApp and Signal will not be included in the ban. There will also be restrictions on AI tools, as AI-powered “romantic companion” chatbots will have to ensure they are only usable by people over the age of 18.

The UK government said its ban would go further than any ban imposed by any other country. Starmer said the ban could be implemented by next spring.

The United Kingdom joins An increasing number of countries Looking to protect children online. Australia became the first to impose such a ban late last year, and other countries, including Canada, France and Denmark, have begun developing their own bans.

The British government wrote in a statement that the sweeping changes aim to “put power back into the hands of parents and give children the childhood they deserve.” press release.

Experts wondered whether a comprehensive ban would be effective. Starmer acknowledged the challenges, but said he believed they could be met.

“Every parent can see it with their own eyes,” Starmer said during a press conference. “Social media makes children unhappy.” “It makes it easier for bullies to harass and abuse them, and can even harm their mental health, exposing them to dangerous content because that’s what gets attention. It’s designed to be addictive, of course it is. Features like infinite scrolling, it’s designed to trap you for hours.”

He went on to say that social media takes away from activities that help children develop into adults, such as going to bed on time, reading, playing outside, and more.

This announcement comes as the British government said earlier this year that it would consult parents, young people and civil society for their views to determine whether the ban is effective. More than 83% of parents participated In consultation He said the risks of social media outweigh its benefits.