UK social media ban for under-16s sparks debate between child protection and teen autonomy
A child and adolescent psychiatrist argues that banning social media for under-16s, as proposed by Keir Starmer, is a long-overdue public health measure to protect young people from online harms including self-harm, suicidality, and eating disorders. The article presents contrasting views, including a 16-year-old's perspective that social media is deeply integrated into teenagers' lives and cannot simply be removed.
Key quotes
Hearing Keir Starmer's announcement proposing a ban on social media for under-16s, I felt an optimism I have not experienced for years regarding the mental health of young people in the UK.
As a child and adolescent psychiatrist, I have spent over a decade witnessing the impact of online exposure on those I meet in clinic.
The harms extend far beyond the visible issues of self-harm, suicidality and eating disorders.
From the article
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