The British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, reported this Monday the prohibition of access to social networks by those under 16 years of age with the aim of protecting childhood in a world in which “technology is an intruder in each of the areas of life.”
“I simply can’t let this continue any longer, so let’s get the children back to their childhood,” he said in a video posted on social media. “This will be a real game-changer for them as concerns grow about their potential exposure to harmful content online,” he warned.
In this sense, he regretted that social networks are making minors “unhappy” and facilitating harassment and abuse. “This can even harm their mental health,” he noted.
a complete ban is the right choice
The British plan, which follows that of other countries, such as Australia, seeks to completely prohibit these minors from accessing the main social media platforms, separate restrictions on specific products, such as gaming applications, and the impossibility of being in contact with unknown people.
“This is not something that does not have a price nor something that is done lightly. But the Government must always make decisions, and it is clear that a total ban is the right choice,” he explained. “Parents want the best for their children, and that’s really what being a parent entails. And for me, all I want for my children is for them to be followed and for them to be happy,” he said.
“I think that when we were little things were easier. Now technology sneaks into every crevice of our lives and the parents’ responses, after a series of consultations, have been clear: they affirm that their children are addicted to social networks, which take away from their time with their family and quality of sleep,” he explained.
Likewise, he clarified that “it is a big step” that “has not been easy to take.” “We wanted to thoroughly supervise all the tests so as not to make decisions lightly as technology changes. (…) It is fair to say that this measure has met with resistance from some of the most powerful companies in the world, but we will win. Our position could not be clearer because this is making our children less happy and less safe,” he said.
