Prime Minister Keir Starmer justified the move on June 15 by citing the negative effects of social media on children. The platforms make children unhappy, encourage bullying, and are deliberately designed to be addictive, Starmer said. The ban is intended to give children more time, safety, and freedom to grow up.
The exact list of affected services has not yet been determined. The government announced that all platforms that serve social interaction and allow the publication of content should be covered. Those already mentioned include Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Snapchat, and X.
The announcement drew criticism. Opponents fear that young people might circumvent the bans and turn to anonymous, less secure offerings. In addition, there is a risk of digital unpreparedness if adolescents only come into contact with social media when they reach adulthood.
Source: www.bbc.com
