‘The genie’s out the bottle’: parents react to UK under-16s social media ban (opens original article in a new tab)

The UK government has announced a social media ban for under-16s, which will block platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. Parents and carers have mixed reactions, with some expressing relief and others raising concerns about its effectiveness and potential unintended consequences.

• UK government announces social media ban for under-16s effective next spring
• Parents and carers express mixed reactions to the ban
• Some parents believe the ban will shift social norms and hold tech companies accountable
• Critics argue the ban may drive children to less monitored platforms and fail to address underlying issues