Banning SM for under 16s

[CuteKoalas]

I've just seen a reel that it went to parliament today to be discussed about banning SM for under 16s.

I personally think its quite a good idea. The mindless scrolling I see dsc do on Instagram for hours on end, cannot be any good for them.
There has already been bullying on WhatsApp too
( their dm allows it on their phone ) they are 11.

I just think how simpler our lives were as teems without it.

Or am I being a grump ?

My other dcs are too young for it. However they often try to badger me to have it.

I also wonder what will happen to all the opened accounts if it was to get banned.
Or even how they would police it.

And he’d be allowed a continuous monitor…

Same way they stop drinking, smoking etc. some still do it some of the time especially as they get near the age it's allowed. But it is much less prevalent especially in younger age groups

Totally support this

I'm happy for both my kids age 13 and 15 to have smart phones -they've had them since the final term of primary. They are learning how to use them whilst growing up. I don't want them to be kept away from normal smart phones until 16 - I want them to be able to use them sensibly by the time they are adults. They both use them sensibly now and don't spend too long on them. They wake for school at 6.15am, out the house by 7.15 and not home until at least 5. They do hobbies/activities/sports 6 days a week, plus homework - so not much time to be on them anyway.
They both go to school 10 miles away by public transport - their phones are a godsend when the transport goes wrong and goes off timetable - they can find out about delays and alternative routes: believe me there are no staff to ask, especially when the train dumps you off at a small station part way along the route.
If some parents want to ban their kids from having smartphones then go ahead and ban your kids from having them. I'm quite happy to parent my kids through their use until adulthood.

If some parents want to ban their kids from having smartphones then go ahead and ban your kids from having them. I'm quite happy to parent my kids through their use until adulthood.

The really funny bit that demonstrates this is about parenting, is the parents who want the ban most, could ban their kids from a smartphone/social media right now. But they don't. Because they are too gutless to do it and want a magic bullet.

The argument that they don't because all their friends have it, don't hold up, because a lot of those same kids will STILL have have social media and those parents will STILL have to say no.

The argument that they don't because all their friends have it, don't hold up, because a lot of those same kids will STILL have have social media and those parents will STILL have to say no.

It's very different saying no it's against the law as opposed to no I don't want you to though.

Yes I agree there needs to be tougher laws in this area. A total ban on phones is probably not the answer but I think much tighter controls on messaging apps and SM. Under 17s shouldn’t be targeted by algorithms and strangers shouldn’t be able to contact them.

If it was illegal you would see a massive reduction in young people using SM which would then make it less attractive to the others.

I think it's supposed to be implemented in around 12 months but nobody really thinks it will, or will change anything much. I think it jist going to teach kids to ignore the law because it's an unenforceable law and is not going to achieve anything.

I think while it would be difficult to police, having an outright ban on smart phones for under 16s would give some parents the strength they need to refuse to give their children one. I think so many parents don't want their kids on social media but also don't want their kid to be bullied for being the only one not on social media or the only one without the latest phone. If everyone backed the bill and switched to giving "dumbphones" to teenagers, I think this would be a very welcome initiative.

This isn’t about phones, it’s about parenting.

But surely you could say that about lots of things which are already banned for under 16s/18s. Alcohol, gambling, smoking, could all be left for parents to manage without any actual “laws”. I think banning social media for under 16s would help to protect more children whose parents need more reason to say no to their children.

You can't turn back time. Mine had smartphones from age 11, they've all grown up fine with an education, jobs, hobbies, friemds that they see.

@RedHelenB and not everyone died in car crashes before the seat belt was implemented, doesn't mean it wasn't needed and doesn't help.

would have been a good idea some maybe 20 years ago. now that horse has bolted

I would support a social media ban for under 16s wholeheartedly. It's a bloody scourge on society.

Whilst it would be hard to officially enforce, it may more easily empower parents to be able to say no. And the more parents that say no, the less kids are on it, reducing that horrible feeling that your kid is the only one missing out on talking to their friends.

This. I get the argument that it would be hard to enforce but I can’t see it making anything but a positive change and a push in the right direction.

It would be impossible to enforce. You don't even need a phone for social media, you could access it on another device. Under 16s would just lie about their dob like they do now.

What we need is a general move away from scrolling. We can't tell kids not to do what adults do the whole time.

I agree that it would be much better for kids if they did not have access to social media, or maybe even to smartphones. But it's naïve to think that a law against it would be enforceable.

Banning social media accounts, sure.

Banning smartphones is a daft idea, though.

Except of course, the law is children CAN drink small amounts of alcohol at home from age 5. Parents CHOOSE not to play their kids with alcohol because a) it might trigger a referral from social services for broader issues b) because they suddenly have a backbone on this issue because of social pressure.

It's such bollocks to say 'oh well I don't want my child to be the one bullied for not being on social media', when a huge amount of the bullying is now done VIA social media! It makes no sense as an argument.

Parents find plenty of ways to absolve themselves of the responsibility on this, and pass the buck because they are too spineless to say no on their own accord. They absolutely can do something without following all the other leemings off a cliff if they want. They just don't want to be seen as 'the mean parent' because too many parents want to be their kid's friend not parent now.

We should bring back Zammo and restart a new 'Just say no' campaign for the Grange Hill generation...

Best get off MN then!

😂

Yes we absolutely should ban it. We know it’s damaging children. Nobody seems to be disputing that as fact. Just so many saying it’s too hard to do. Australia have done it and good for them. There will be a way. A few people will always break any law, but that’s not a reason not to have the law…

Given the correct and sensible uses my kids have for their smart phone in a large city, I can confidently say they would be less safe if they were confiscated.
Being about to program and edit routes for transportation does not work on a paper map.
They are developing their independence utilising something they will use regularly as an adult. Not all kids are watching illegal content.

I think there are ways around children just lying about their dob. I had to approve my child to use fifa account the other day. It took a video of my face and did an age verification that way. The technology is there to do this