Page 5 | Banning SM for under 16s

CuteKoalas · 2025-02-24T17:56:06+00:00

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.

Needmorelego · 25/02/2025 08:19

@Purplturpl so if an adult has to be the one to sign up (ie face scan) then they are happy for their child to use that account - then that's how it should be.
No need to ban it completely for under 16s.
Parents choice and their responsibility in my opinion 🙂

Purplturpl · 25/02/2025 08:27

Needmorelego · 25/02/2025 08:19

@Purplturpl so if an adult has to be the one to sign up (ie face scan) then they are happy for their child to use that account - then that's how it should be.
No need to ban it completely for under 16s.
Parents choice and their responsibility in my opinion 🙂

Well that would be a better option

Needmorelego · 25/02/2025 08:28

Purplturpl · 25/02/2025 08:27

Well that would be a better option

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Seems the obvious one to me.

Purplturpl · 25/02/2025 08:33

Anything is better than the current situation

NotVeryFunny · 25/02/2025 17:04

@RedToothBrush I agree completely but I seem to find it impossible despite numerous attempts. Hence my view!!! If I find it impossible to stop using despite knowing it's negative effects why are we willing giving it to our children?!?

InWalksBarberalla · 27/02/2025 01:57

TodayIsTheGreatest · 25/02/2025 06:16

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…

Australia have not done it. They've voted to do it but nothing has happened as yet and nobody really thinks anything much will actually change as its completely unenforceable.

WarmthAndDepth · 27/02/2025 02:46

I have retained the parental controls I installed when my DC got their first phones aged 11, just before going to secondary school. It gives me some insight into their online activity, but the 'damage' occurred quickly: both DC were unhealthily attached to their phones within the first fortnight. I've stuck to the age recommendations for apps, but now they're permitted to use them, they're addictive AF, despite the DC being 'old enough'.

There was an interesting piece of research which basically found that most children and young people would quite like to not use social media if all their friends also refrained from using it. The same cohort also said they remain on SM as they fear missing out.

Purplturpl · 27/02/2025 10:05

WarmthAndDepth · 27/02/2025 02:46

I have retained the parental controls I installed when my DC got their first phones aged 11, just before going to secondary school. It gives me some insight into their online activity, but the 'damage' occurred quickly: both DC were unhealthily attached to their phones within the first fortnight. I've stuck to the age recommendations for apps, but now they're permitted to use them, they're addictive AF, despite the DC being 'old enough'.

There was an interesting piece of research which basically found that most children and young people would quite like to not use social media if all their friends also refrained from using it. The same cohort also said they remain on SM as they fear missing out.

This is something my children (teens) say and their friends say. A lot of them don’t even really like their phones and wish they didn’t have them. But they know they can’t not have them as that is how the world works now