To think we absolutely have to ban social media for under 16s.

[Bitethehandthatfeedsyou]

I just don’t understand with all evidence that we have to say how awful it is for young people why we’re not banning in for under 16s. I’ve not spoken to 1 parent who wouldn’t be in favour of it.

I do know it’s not a silver bullet and there is ann idea that young people would be penalised for big tech not taking responsibility for exploiting children.

Quite rightly smoking, vaping and alcohol are out of bounds for under 18s and arguably access to social media and a young age is as harmful / more harmful than any of these.

On a cynical note too, surely it would be a huge vote winner for whichever party goes about implementing it too.

I’m guessing there is a way social media could be properly restricted.

A Couple of years ago DP downloaded a betting app with a friend and a few scary months followed where he developed a problem. He had a big win of £3,000 to start with but used it to keep gambling. He opened several betting accounts and blew £2,000 of the money.

I didn’t feel I could really say anything as it was his money and his winnings coming from his account, he didn’t touch the joint account but he was becoming addicted and it was lucky he realised before it got too far and was soon desperate to stop.

All the sites needed proper age verification to join including uploading photo ID and then taking a current photo of himself on the app with designed recognition software.

When he wanted to stop he used a self exclusion site, we tested it later and he couldn’t log onto any betting sites, it came up with a message he was self excluded on the log in page and he could go no further, even if he tried to set up another account it recognised him and he couldn’t proceed - this was before entering identifying factors like his address and card details and using a different email address.
I also blocked access to the sites on the WiFi admin page which I password protected, even if he’s been tempted to use it he couldn’t access the sites.

If it’s possible to use age restrictions on these sites and has the ability to stop access to some users then surely they can do the same with social media sites?

I keep seeing 'schools need to ban phones' as though it's only in school that kids are using phones.
I don't know of any schools who DO allow phones. Most have an 'if I see/ hear it, it's confiscated' rule. That's why I don't see the point in a law banning phones in schools. Most kids follow the rule. The hardcore refusers have to hand them in every day. It's always something watching kids leave school at the end of the day, switching their phones on with the relief of a smoker having a first fag.

None of this puts the onus on the tech companies to be responsible and protect kids, though.

It would basically need a dumb phone for kids or slightly more tech savvy parents. The home routers should be able to bar access to social sites and VPNs for each phone owned by a minor even if they have worked it how to access when on mobile

hiwever even if sone kids bypassed it the fact that it was illegal would make it easier for parents to know what to do and try to enforce

So if kids have dumb phones how would parents be able to track them to see if they go to correct bathroom, it would not surprise me if some parents want to microchip their children

I agree with this so much, I think things need to change around social media use for everyone.

But banning it for under 16 or under 18, they would just find ways around it. I think social media needs looking at as a whole because I think it is just as damaging for adults in many ways too.

The ban seems to work with us. They do have long school days, including Saturdays though. Because the kids have limited opportunity to use their phones, the social media hasn’t really become a “thing”. They are all too busy to be using it to any great extent.

I’m all for it but how would it be enforced?

I think there is a growing push back from parents against allowing kids access to social media and smartphones and I hope that continues.

The argument for saying they need to learn how to use some social media at 13 is nonsense. For what purpose?! They’re all ready very tech savvy by then without needing to add social media into the mix.

It makes me think those parents don’t understand the addictive nature of it and how certain ads and posts are targeted at children. It’s not really something that can be managed safely because there’s very little control over what you’re seeing.

The best thing to do right now with younger teens is for parents to have close control of their phones and not allow them access to social media. Check messages. Don’t let your kids have their phones in their rooms over night. I’m shocked at how many kids that I’ve spoken to are up till all hours gaming or on their phones! Parents need to take action here too.

Absolutely. DS did a speech about this at school. Social media is the biggest cause of mental death issues and suicide amongst under 16s. Why we allow this to continue is bizarre.

like I said, some SM sites do cotton on that an account is underage (either because of content or because it was reported or flagged by someone else) and ask for confirmation of age. You get parents taking pics of themselves, uploading card/id pics and jumping through hoops to get their kid’s account back. This is something that actually happens, even though most just make a new account .

There are already rules, regulations and restrictions (even if pretty crappy), and a lot of parents don’t care, or worse , they are actively involved in their child having a SM presence.

I agree but I shudder to think what social media would become if it were only for OVER 16s. It’s bad enough as it is

Definitely

I have a teen and I’ve also found it was such a headache and faff sorting out parental controls etc on his iPhone. It honestly feels like they intentionally make sure it’s not straightforward to limit screen time etc.

I also hate the addictive video shorts that seem to be part of all social media sites now. It’s not just TikTok anymore- YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat all have those endless reels of short videos to scroll through.

Yes I know that ‘parents should parents’ id just appreciate to have better tools to make sure my children are safe as possible online, and not feel like I’m fighting against something.

Not good enough. Schools teach this, lots of parents do too. It’s toxic and addictive. Young people are not old enough or rational enough to navigate that world. A ban is the only way.

A total ban makes it even more tempting for teens. It’s far better to somehow ensure use is limited so it doesn’t become addictive (through schools banning smartphones and by keeping the kids busy with other things).

You don’t see how allowing a bunch of 16 year olds free access to social media with no previous experience would be a disaster?

The simple solution would be to make it illegal for under 16s to have a profile, with massive fines for the social media companies and any adults aiding them.

Like buying alcohol.

Let’s be honest here, a ban would only help parents who don’t want their kids on SM but don’t want to or know how to say no.
DD’s been asking for various apps since she was y3 (her friends DID indeed have the apps) I just kept saying no.

I agree and I also think kids should receive lessons in media-literacy, if they are not already, so they will be prepared to what they'll face once they do go on social media.

i mean there are lots of regulated apps that under 16s can’t access, like some financial apps for example so there is definitely a way to do it.

Also social media is literally addictive. Why should it be treated differently to anything else that’s addictive and harmful.

We need to take it further. We need to ban mobile phones for under 16’s.

It’s not just what’s on social media that is the issue, but the amount of bullying that is perpetuated via their smartphones.

Children absolutely do not need a mobile phone. We’ve been conditioned into believing that they do. That we need to be able to be in touch with then at all times, that we need to be able to track their every move. That without mobile phones they’ll become social outcasts.

We buy our children iPads at the age of 3, because parents can’t bear to teach their children table manners, or deprive them of Roblox. And so by the time they get to about 10 they’re unable to live without technology and we’ve become convinced that they need it. They don’t.

The social media companies are never going to comply. So we need to remove the means of using social media.

And yes, I know that some will say kids will just use a computer, but those aren’t nearly as portable or present as a mobile phone.

Not really. That may be the case whilst they’re in primary. Once children get to their teenage years they can find ways to have social media without their parents knowing.

I agree but don't know how it can be . All you have to do is enter a different date of birth and that's it, your in.
Same with smoking /raping, it's all well and good banning them, but it doesn't stop anyone from getting them.
My sons previous high school had a huge amount of kids vaping as soon as they left the school gates. We moved him from that school for various reasons and he now attends a high school that has a lot of rich kids , and you need to take an entrance exam. This school is infact worse and there is open drug use INSIDE the school that they can't get a grip on. It is very scary and luckily for me at the moment my son isn't interested as he has health anxiety so too scared to try anything. Very worrying to see this and noone seems to be able to do anything about it

I agree there's absolutely no reason why youngsters need the internet till they are 16 it's posing more danger than anything these days leaving children wide open to all sorts.

Tempting maybe in the same way alcohol is but the vast majority of teens can’t gain access to alcohol on a day-to-day basis. There needs to be tight regulations that prevent under age people accessing these sites. In an ideal world they would be limited yes but this is very difficult to maintain across families and schools - you need both on board to make it effective. Schools have banned smartphones. I’m a teacher. They’re not allowed them out in school but does this prevent usage? No. They sneak them into the toilets or in corridors or out on the yard. They are addicted to them. I’d also support a smartphone ban as well as social media.

Assuming it was restricted, you would have to decide what exactly was social media.

Is WhatsApp social media?
Are YouTube comments social media?
Is YouTube itself a social media platform?