| Social Media ban for U16s then 11:10 - Dec 9 with 725 views | homer_123 | https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ce86381p70eo I think the intent is right and it's no bad thing. Sadly, I suspect it won't be implemented well but that shouldn't detract from trying to do it. I'm not keen on a 'Nanny' state but I don't think this is a bad thing. |  |
| |  |
| Social Media ban for U16s then on 11:15 - Dec 9 with 684 views | BlueBadger | I mean, we age restrict lots of other things that are not good for young minds and bodies. |  |
|  |
| Social Media ban for U16s then on 11:16 - Dec 9 with 670 views | homer_123 |
| Social Media ban for U16s then on 11:15 - Dec 9 by BlueBadger | I mean, we age restrict lots of other things that are not good for young minds and bodies. |
Indeed Badge, I think this is very sensible. |  |
|  |
| Social Media ban for U16s then on 11:19 - Dec 9 with 638 views | GlasgowBlue |
| Social Media ban for U16s then on 11:16 - Dec 9 by homer_123 | Indeed Badge, I think this is very sensible. |
I concur |  |
|  |
| Social Media ban for U16s then on 11:36 - Dec 9 with 577 views | giant_stow | Agree*, but isn;t it a piece of piss to get around? Even my 12 year old knows about vpns. *Despite agreeing we have allowed him tiktok which may be a massive mistake, but also brings him a lot of happiness (one of his videos got a million views) |  |
|  |
| Social Media ban for U16s then on 11:38 - Dec 9 with 566 views | mellowblue | I agree in principle, but if it is already a social lifeline for many 10-16 year olds already, suddenly chopping it could really undermine mental health of many youngsters. Because as we know they aren't on it for the odd half hour, it takes over their lives. How you implement it and whether it can be implemented without youngsters using, say, sites from foreign countries with no restrictions, I really cannot say. Kind of glad social media was barely a thing for my kids. It was there, but the ability to use it wasn't (no smart phones). |  | |  |
| Social Media ban for U16s then on 11:42 - Dec 9 with 533 views | baxterbasics |
| Social Media ban for U16s then on 11:38 - Dec 9 by mellowblue | I agree in principle, but if it is already a social lifeline for many 10-16 year olds already, suddenly chopping it could really undermine mental health of many youngsters. Because as we know they aren't on it for the odd half hour, it takes over their lives. How you implement it and whether it can be implemented without youngsters using, say, sites from foreign countries with no restrictions, I really cannot say. Kind of glad social media was barely a thing for my kids. It was there, but the ability to use it wasn't (no smart phones). |
On balance I think social media access has been a big negative for young people's mental health. I'd gladly support taking it away from anyone who isn't old enough to work and pay for their own phone contract. Sadly I think the genie is out and efforts like those of Australia will prove largely futile. It's entirely on parents to monitor what their kids are doing online and thus far, many are doing a poor job. My kids are all 18+ now but I certainly wish we had held out for longer before getting them online and that we had exercised more control. |  |
|  |
| Social Media ban for U16s then on 18:32 - Dec 9 with 338 views | J2BLUE | Good luck with that. |  |
|  |
| Social Media ban for U16s then on 09:46 - Dec 10 with 207 views | MattinLondon |
| Social Media ban for U16s then on 11:36 - Dec 9 by giant_stow | Agree*, but isn;t it a piece of piss to get around? Even my 12 year old knows about vpns. *Despite agreeing we have allowed him tiktok which may be a massive mistake, but also brings him a lot of happiness (one of his videos got a million views) |
I understand that argument but if you know he right shopkeepers then it’s easy to get around the restrictions on alcohol and fags and vaps etc. Just because it’s not 100% enforceable doesn’t mean that it’s not worth doing. Social media should be a fantastic thing but it’s polluted by the worst that society has to offer. The big social media firms only care about profits and so the only way to get them to clean up their act is to fine them heavily daily, until the problem is much much better (doubt that it’ll ever be anywhere near perfect). Or turn their apps and sits off. |  | |  | Login to get fewer ads
| Social Media ban for U16s then on 09:52 - Dec 10 with 194 views | baxterbasics |
| Social Media ban for U16s then on 09:46 - Dec 10 by MattinLondon | I understand that argument but if you know he right shopkeepers then it’s easy to get around the restrictions on alcohol and fags and vaps etc. Just because it’s not 100% enforceable doesn’t mean that it’s not worth doing. Social media should be a fantastic thing but it’s polluted by the worst that society has to offer. The big social media firms only care about profits and so the only way to get them to clean up their act is to fine them heavily daily, until the problem is much much better (doubt that it’ll ever be anywhere near perfect). Or turn their apps and sits off. |
I think it does help back up parents or teachers and others trying to keep kids off these places. Adds a little authority. When every other kid in their school is online with seemingly little restriction it's a lot harder to be the 'bad guy' |  |
|  |
| Social Media ban for U16s then on 09:53 - Dec 10 with 194 views | DanTheMan | I agree with the principle, it's immensely damaging even from just an attention span / learning point of view. Unfortunately, I do not think it will work. |  |
|  |
| Social Media ban for U16s then on 09:55 - Dec 10 with 188 views | lazyblue | Social media is a bitch at times for youngsters , well done. |  | |  |
| Social Media ban for U16s then on 10:13 - Dec 10 with 163 views | itfcjoe |
| Social Media ban for U16s then on 09:53 - Dec 10 by DanTheMan | I agree with the principle, it's immensely damaging even from just an attention span / learning point of view. Unfortunately, I do not think it will work. |
It's great to see them trying, and hopefully more will follow - parents are having to single handedly hold back the tide at the moment and need this. I'm hoping it is here soon before my kids are old enough to want it Will be hard to make it work as so many rich and powerful interests who will go to all lengths to stop this like cigarette lobbies in the 60s and 70s, and countless other examples still do |  |
|  |
| Social Media ban for U16s then on 10:21 - Dec 10 with 146 views | Guthrum | Might be better - or as a supplementary - to teach how to use social media in schools, same as they used to do (may still) with the Green Cross Code and cycling proficiency. Online idiots are always going to idiot online, but knowing the warning signs and avoiding danger are useful skills. [Post edited 10 Dec 10:42]
|  |
|  |
| |