Today’s Social Media Ban Announcement: Discussion

[ByeByeTikTok]

I haven’t seen a thread for today’s expected ban on social media for Under 16s so thought I’d start one. If there already is one pls link and I’ll get this deleted.

What will it likely include?
What won’t it include?
How do you and your kids feel about it, especially if they’re already using it?
Will you follow it, and when?
Will people try to get round it?

Yes, I'm glad.
Now at least I will be able to tell my nagging sons that it's illegal to have these.
While it's legal, it's difficult to justify, why can't they have it. "It's bad for you, trust me" doesn't seem to be enough as others have it.

Our internet usage is already being monitored by tech giants

You could say the same about restricting SM in the first place then couldn't you?

Well, they're young enough now, but I doubt very much any ban will work immediately- or in the next 2/3 years even. Parenting is one thing, social norms and the status quo is quite another. I'm not saying it's right, but if every other child in the class has free rein at 11, you can be as strict as you like but the battle will not be an easy - or successful - one.

Thank you. I made the mistake of reading the rest of the thread, and the vast majority of the replies make me want to tear my hair out. It's genuinely depressing.

We are doing fine thanks.

I totally agree with you. If people can’t see this is backdoor digital ID then I give up.

My 8 year old is one of the few in her year who don’t have their own iPad and access to YouTube etc…

A social media ban won’t stop kids lying about their age.. probably with full permission from their parents

Ah well we just shouldn’t bother our arses trying then.

Local colleges are in the process of banning phones during school hours (in lockable pouches)

One of their phones goes in a lockable pouch….

Yes.you can find it by searching

Thanks. If kids use a VPN will they still need all this?

The government have talked of banning VPNs (clearly oblivious to their use by businesses to maintain confidentiality, including by people working from home).

Age verification software - the platforms can implement it so your face is scanned as part of registering an account. It's about 99% accurate. Your data isn't held by the platform, it's verified via a 3rd party who confirm the account is for someone over 16 or whatever. Already in use for porn sites.

Well you could but equally you could say it about alcohol, or cigarettes which are also illegal for under 18s so it’s clear there is a need and a social acceptance that when something is so harmful to children we do legislate against it.

I read in times of emergency eg protests, Belfast etc all videos, etc will be blocked in the UK. So it's not just about children is it.

Of course they have. Digital control incoming.

So many people repeating it, literally no one so far actually sharing anything that states this from the government.

Exactly, with the government deciding exactly what constitutes an emergency requiring censorship.

And where did you read it?

They haven't. No formal list has been announced. But people are merrily spreading this fake news. Suspicious minds would think there might be an agenda at play.

So people I talk to o/s will see content and say oh no what happened but we won’t see it. Very Iranian.

But is there the evidence that it’s so harmful to children?

“small and inconsistent associations” with mental health.

”a small beneficial effect on wellbeing in adults and adolescents”

”there is limited direct evidence on the benefits or potential unintended consequences of blanket bans”

https://www.sciencemediacentre.org/expert-comments-on-evidence-on-benefits-and-harms-of-social-media-and-social-media-bans-on-young-people/

Could you link to this, please?

There is substantial evidence that social media is harmful to children.