Starmer’s plan to ban under 16’s from social media

I m certainly not against it, I believe our young people need protecting and I think Keir Starmer is trying, I believe he is a genuine man, but I know teens and pre teens and young teens and they are as sneaky as hell, (weren’t we all? I remember climbing out a window to meet a boy I had been told I mustn’t see) and if there’s a way round it they ll find it.

The sites need a much higher proof of age identity and parents need education and to set rules …..’I look at your phone once a week, you don’t use it at meal times, and not after 8 pm or whatever time is applicable, or what ever they feel necessary to apply. Not just buying it giving it and that’s the end of it

Parents have to be more aware of their young, and what they are doing, like all these young people that have drowned in the good weather, in lakes and pits, do parents not realise they have to teach their children about danger….

GrannyGravy13

Mamie

One of the recent Apple updates required proof of being 18 by passport, driving licence or credit card (not debit cards because you don't have to be 18) without which they would be blocked from certain content. It is a start.

I just had to tick the box that I was over 18 on the newest update.

No ID shown or asked for.

(Latest iPhone & iPad update)

Yes this is the latest version which depends on how long you have held the account.

With sad experience about my grandaughter being bullied it’s heartbreaking I personally as a retired teacher welcome any plans to eliviate this problem.

Norah

I agree.

Idea is good, media companies need to sort. I know not how.

No excuses with AI they can detect nudity and any offensive Text easily
It's all about how much money they are making

Mamie I have had my account since the beginning of Apple

Our GC all have phones on their parents accounts, as do most young people.

At the moment I just cannot see how this will work.

As for a curfew on 16-17yr olds of 9pm on social media, how on earth will KS sort that out 🤷‍♀️

Mamie

One of the recent Apple updates required proof of being 18 by passport, driving licence or credit card (not debit cards because you don't have to be 18) without which they would be blocked from certain content. It is a start.

I have an IPhone and IPad, I’ve not been asked for proof, just to tick a box. I’ve had Apple for at least 10 years.

I want it to work but I m very very dubious, to me the Pandora’s box is open!
But I think they are right to try, just don’t see how it will work older kids, older siblings, kids as young as 11 find ways of getting cigarettes and drink, they ve not mastered that yet what hope of this working !

GrannyGravy13

Mamie I have had my account since the beginning of Apple

Our GC all have phones on their parents accounts, as do most young people.

At the moment I just cannot see how this will work.

As for a curfew on 16-17yr olds of 9pm on social media, how on earth will KS sort that out 🤷‍♀️

Yes exactly that, so have we. So at first it was proof of being over 18 and then they with a new update they added in the length of time, so if you had held your account for over 20 years you are unlikely to be under 18. If children are using it, it depends how it has been set up by the account holder.
None of this is perfect, but at least they are trying.

Yes, try something, assess, improve, try again.

I fully support a social media ban for under 16s, but they haven't done that. They have introduced a partial social media ban. I actually thought this might be one government bill I could support, I was wrong.

Well the under sixteens are going to like, or forgive labour for bringing that in, partial or not, are they.

MT62

Well the under sixteens are going to like, or forgive labour for bringing that in, partial or not, are they.

Not 🤦‍♀️

"According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 25 countries have social media age restrictions in force, enacted, or under active consideration.

In Spain and Portugal politicians have announced plans and partly voted the rules in. Their bans are likely to come into force this year.

Governments in France, Malaysia, Denmark, Indonesia, Norway and Canada are also in the process of bringing in a ban.

Laws have been passed in several US states but these are being challenged in the courts."

Source BBC

He's only announced it today to try and deflect peoples thoughts away from his hideous decision not to give more money for the defence of the realm.

I would say that most under 16s will be horrified by this. In Australia over 60% of teens still have SM. And those that don't are in the younger teen group.

What I want to know is how they're going to police it? And if they do catch an under 16 doom scrolling on Tiktok, what happens?

SM is a vital tool. Schools use SM. Kids get their news from SM.

However, these teens could just go home and use their TV to get these apps, laptop notebook etc

This is also an opportunityfor new apps to spring up.

My grandchildren use it. 2 boys of 16 and 15. Who use SM , can't wait to see their reaction! but they are also very active, play sports, one loves chess (which he's in a group on SM that practice.) Duke of Edinburgh awards. SM hasn't ruined their lives. They would say it's enriched them.

This reminds me of tales my mum told me of my dad. Who used to think telephones were the work of the devil and refused to have one for years. As for television!!! No way would he get one. Eventually my grandparents bought us one and he'd cover the screen with a sheet of the Daily Telegraph.

The Internet is here . We can't pretend otherwise.

Also, why hasn't Keir banned Blue-sky?

Sorry for waffling. It's just annoyed me. Many are extremely frustrated with Keir and labour at the moment. With this move he's going to lose a massive amount of future voters for Labour.