UK bans children younger than 16 from using social media apps including TikTok and YouTube
Summary
The UK government will ban children under 16 from using social media apps like Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube to protect them from harmful content and too much screen time. The ban is expected to start early next year and will include penalties for companies that do not follow the rules.Key Facts
- The UK will ban children younger than 16 from using popular social media apps such as Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and X.
- The ban aims to protect children from harmful content and reduce excessive screen time.
- Platforms that allow under-16s to use their services could face multimillion-dollar fines.
- Messaging apps like WhatsApp and Signal, and YouTube Kids, are not included in the ban.
- The UK plans to go further than Australia’s similar ban, introducing extra measures like stopping strangers from contacting children on gaming and livestreaming platforms.
- AI chatbots that simulate romantic or sexual conversations will be restricted to users over 18.
- The government received over 116,000 responses during a public consultation, with more than 90% supporting the under-16 ban.
- Some companies warned the ban may push kids to less regulated online spaces, but UK leaders believe enforcement is possible and necessary.
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