Should social media be banned for U16s

[Handy Run]

The convicts are doing it. No reason we can't either. Social Media is poison

I am a 15-year-old girl. Let me show you the vile misogyny that confronts me on social media every day | Anonymous

Objectification, hate, rape threats: the politicians debating online abuse mean well, but to truly understand, they need to see what I see

www.theguardian.com

 

[Hallbopping]

I’m genuinely on the fence on this. My instinct says it’ll be very hard to enforce but social media is toxic and we need to protect children at what is a very challenging and vulnerable time in their lives.

 

[dukeroyale]

The convicts are doing it. No reason we can't either. Social Media is poison

I am a 15-year-old girl. Let me show you the vile misogyny that confronts me on social media every day | Anonymous

Objectification, hate, rape threats: the politicians debating online abuse mean well, but to truly understand, they need to see what I see

www.theguardian.com

i have fairly regular talks with a twelve year old about her socials. she’s fairly open about it all but theres bound to be some she’s holding back on. it’s a complete minefield.

there was a porn on the phone incident à few years back. some “challenge” some lads in school put to her and her friend about watching a porn clip. it definitely stepped up the due diligence when it came to keeping an eye on devices. the porn thing happened way, way earlier than i thought it would.

in may ways the genie is out of the bottle. it’ll be hard to get it back in. people in countries banning certain sites are only a vpn away from full access to those sites again. obviously it’s harder for a child to pay à vpn subscription but there’s new and inventive ways on circumventing everything.

 

[Handy Run]

in may ways the genie is out of the bottle. it’ll be hard to get it back in. people in countries banning certain sites are only a vpn away from full access to those sites again. obviously it’s harder for a child to pay à vpn subscription but there’s new and inventive ways on circumventing everything.

Don't let perfect be the enemy of good.

Even if it prevented every second child using it, it would be worth it. We don't allow children to legally buy alcohol because some can get their hands on it anyway.

 

[MrFrisp]

It should be banned, full stop. Or definitely highly regulated, and controlled.

It's a fuckin cesspit.

 

[Crisp Sandwich]

It has made young people, generally speaking, thick and incapable of dealing with actual face-to-face human interaction.

 

[dukeroyale]

Don't let perfect be the enemy of good.

Even if it prevented every second child using it, it would be worth it. We don't allow children to legally buy alcohol because some can get their hands on it anyway.

i’m not saying don’t try to put in place safeguards, regulations or outright banning of certain platforms. i’d be all for it.

 

[Cormac]

There are loads that will say a ban will make no difference, that under 16s will find a way anyway but that's not the point.
A ban is HUGELY important as it changes the narrative and the mindset towards social media amongst parents and society in general.
It's no different to alcohol or cigarettes.
If a teen really wants to get their hands on either they can and will but the ban on both to under 18s has instilled a unified societal agreement that for them to do so is wrong.
As with alcohol and cigarettes it's ultimately up to parents to supervise and educate their children but without the law on your side in the first place, you are fighting a lost battle.

This is a vitally important ban and is an absolute must in safeguarding the mental and physical wellbeing of our children.

 

[sigourney's knickers]

There are loads that will say a ban will make no difference, that under 16s will find a way anyway but that's not the point.
A ban is HUGELY important as it changes the narrative and the mindset towards social media amongst parents and society in general.
It's no different to alcohol or cigarettes.
If a teen really wants to get their hands on either they can and will but the ban on both to under 18s has instilled a unified societal agreement that for them to do so is wrong.
As with alcohol and cigarettes it's ultimately up to parents to supervise and educate their children but without the law on your side in the first place, you are fighting a lost battle.

This is a vitally important ban and is an absolute must in safeguarding the mental and physical wellbeing of our children.

Also reduces the audience.

 

[El Guapo]

There are loads that will say a ban will make no difference, that under 16s will find a way anyway but that's not the point.
A ban is HUGELY important as it changes the narrative and the mindset towards social media amongst parents and society in general.
It's no different to alcohol or cigarettes.
If a teen really wants to get their hands on either they can and will but the ban on both to under 18s has instilled a unified societal agreement that for them to do so is wrong.
As with alcohol and cigarettes it's ultimately up to parents to supervise and educate their children but without the law on your side in the first place, you are fighting a lost battle.

This is a vitally important ban and is an absolute must in safeguarding the mental and physical wellbeing of our children.

Also though parents need to demonstrate good behaviours around phone usage.

Do as a say not as a do is bollocks and I firmly include myself in that