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The LeadAustralia's social media ban for under-16s has been in place for six months, with mixed reactions from parents and carers. The ban aims to protect young people online, but some argue it's difficult to enforce and that teenagers are finding ways to get around it. Parental Perspectives on the BanParents and carers in Australia have shared their experiences with the ban. Freya, a 44-year-old mother from Melbourne, says the ban has given her 'an extra tool in the battle against devices' with her children, aged 12 and 14. She notes that the ban has reduced arguments about social media use and that her children are less likely to ask for social media accounts. The Ban's EffectivenessHowever, not all parents agree that the ban is effective. Boris, a father of two from Brisbane, feels that the ban has failed and that the legislation is toothless. He says that many of his son's friends are still on social media and that his son feels left out. Diverse Opinions on the Ban's ImpactSimon, a father of two from Perth, thinks that the ban will have a positive effect in the long run. He says that his younger son, who got a mobile phone after the ban came into force, has not asked for social media access and is happy to use WhatsApp and YouTube instead. Challenges and ConcernsSome parents, like Elizabeth from Melbourne, say that the ban has not reduced social media use for her 15-year-olds, who have managed to circumvent TikTok and Instagram's age verification technology. She also notes that the ban could lead to social isolation for some children, as her children interact less with friends after school and on weekends. Unintended ConsequencesEdward, a single father from Canberra, says that the ban has made monitoring and managing device use more difficult. He notes that his son still uses YouTube without signing in, and that he can't restrict channels or see the content he's viewing.

The UK's Social Media Ban for Under-16s The UK government has announced a ban on social media access for under-16s as part of an online safety drive that includes a host of other restrictions. Keir Starmer said the changes were a “line in the sand” for tech companies that had failed to keep children safe. Which Social Media Apps Will Be Banned for Under-16s? Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, X, and Facebook will all be blocked. The government is using the same framework as in Australia. It will ban under-16 access for “user-to-user platforms” that enable social interaction between users and allow them to post material – jargon for social media. This means every major platform is captured. Messaging platforms WhatsApp and Signal will not be included in the ban. There will be a “narrowly defined” list of other exemptions, because the government does not want to hit music streaming or e-commerce platforms as well as educational services. The Other Restrictions The plan is being called an “Australia plus” ban because other measures are being introduced as well. Livestreaming and communication with strangers will be blocked for under-16s on a “wider range of online services” such as gaming sites, though these platforms have not been named. These restrictions would be on by default for 17-year-olds to prevent a “cliff edge” scenario when teenagers turned 16. So-called “romantic companion” chatbots, which simulate sexual relationships and roleplay with users, are to have an under-18 age limit. How Will the Ban Be Enforced? The announcement suggests that the government could harden – or at least modify – the age verification process already in place under the UK’s Online Safety Act, which is overseen by the UK’s communications watchdog, Ofcom. The government has said Ofcom will conduct a “rapid study” on how to do age verification under the new measures. Platforms and privacy advocates are concerned about the technical and political implications of – potentially – collecting a lot more information on social media users. The Reaction to the Ban The government said nine out of 10 parents who responded to the consultation supported a ban. It added that two-thirds of young people agreed that children younger than 16 should be blocked from using at least some social media platforms. The Molly Rose Foundation, an online safety charity, has said a ban will leave parents with a “false sense of safety”. YouTube expressed disappointment at the ban announcement, saying it could push children towards unsafe platforms.

The Announcement UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has confirmed that the government will ban access to social media for all children under the age of 16. This move is part of a broader effort to protect children from the potential harms of social media, including cyberbullying, exposure to dangerous content, and addiction. The Reasoning Behind the Ban Starmer emphasized that this decision is not taken lightly, but believes it is a necessary step to ensure the well-being and safety of children. He noted that social media can have negative effects on children's mental health, and that it can be a source of addiction, preventing them from engaging in more beneficial activities like reading, playing outside, or doing their homework. The Opposition and Enforcement Starmer acknowledged that some technology companies may oppose this ban, but he emphasized that the government has a responsibility to protect its citizens, particularly children. He also mentioned that the government will take 'world-leading' action on gaming services and live streaming platforms, where strangers can currently contact children unchecked. The Future Outlook This ban is seen as a significant step in the UK's efforts to regulate social media and protect its citizens, particularly children. It remains to be seen how this ban will be enforced and what the impact will be on social media companies and users.

The Proposed Social Media Ban A rushed under-16s social media ban in the UK could unravel and families would be left to count the cost, a leading child safety charity has warned. The Molly Rose Foundation (MRF) said an age limit on the use of tech platforms could unravel, after it was reported that the prime minister, Keir Starmer, would announce a ban on under-16s accessing 'harmful' social media apps. The Concerns Over Effective Implementation MRF, founded by the family of Molly Russell, a British teenager who took her own life after viewing harmful online content on Instagram and Pinterest, said a ban would fail to make children safer because they would circumvent age checks and could move to less regulated areas such as gaming. Andy Burrows, the MRF chief executive, said a 'rushed' ban would 'quickly unravel' and was not supported by the evidence. The Data Analysis The government has pledged to move fast on implementing the safety consultation's findings. A consultation on children's online safety, including whether there should be a ban for under-16s, closed only last week. The UK government is also consulting on other safety matters including whether there should be age restrictions on a range of app features, such as infinite scrolling, and limitations on the use of AI chatbots. The Impact Analysis The charity argues that a blanket ban would not be effective and instead proposes restricting algorithms that personalise content for teenagers. Beeban Kidron, the crossbench peer and a leading online safety advocate, said the reported government proposal was a 'non-ban ban'. Lady Kidron accused ministers of soft-pedalling safety measures. The Prediction There is frustration in Labour's ranks about the prime minister's approach, with one MP saying: 'They should get on with it [a ban], to be honest. They can't keep saying it's coming and then backing down.' The government spokesperson said: 'We've been clear we are determined to act quickly, but we will do so in a way that is effective, enforceable and genuinely keeps children safe.'

The Lead: Tabloid Ethics at Their LowestIn 1987, at the height of Britain's tabloid press era, the Sunday Sport, owned by pornography baron David Sullivan, began a disturbing practice of counting down to the 16th birthdays of schoolgirls like Natalie Banus, when they could legally be pictured topless. This controversial feature, which described 15-year-olds as "the age of the nymphet," pushed legal and ethical boundaries by publishing semi-nude images of minors, revealing a dark chapter in tabloid journalism that would continue for over 15 years.The Ethical Boundaries: Exploiting Legal LoopholesThe Sunday Sport, launched in 1986 in a blaze of controversy, meticulously navigated legal restrictions on publishing indecent images of under-16s. The newspaper maintained compliance by featuring 15-year-old girls with their chests obscured only by their arms, while explicitly anticipating their "legal" topless photos upon turning 16. Banus, described as "the sexiest 15-year-old in Britain" with measurements "a fantastic 40-22-34," became the centerpiece of this countdown strategy. The publication also encouraged readers to call premium-rate chat lines to hear her voice, further monetizing her underage status.The Impact on Subjects: Psychological Toll on Young WomenAlmost 40 years after her tabloid debut, Natalie Banus reflected on her experience in her memoir "Dark Star," published earlier this year. She revealed that she wept when reading the pieces published in anticipation of her 16th birthday, including an account of an alleged incident in a changing room where she feared sexual assault. After turning 16, the Daily Star ran topless pictures of her "all week … always paired with some nonsense story about me being so proud of my tits, getting groped or fantasising about sex." This exposure led to more work with Sullivan's publications, with some explicit shoots taking place in his former Essex home.The Legacy: From Tabloid Pages to Football BoardroomsThe relationship between the Star and the Sport lasted just eight weeks, with advertisers and journalists protesting against the seedy influence of Sullivan. However, he remained undeterred, continuing the practice of celebrating teenage girls' 16th birthdays with topless photos for more than 15 years. Other young models like Linsey Dawn McKenzie were similarly featured, with newspapers encouraging readers to imagine their topless appearances. This weekend, Sullivan's career in the adult entertainment industry has been thrown into sharp focus as he announced his resignation from West Ham to fight "false allegations" about his personal conduct, though Banus has always maintained that he treated her with "courtesy and kindness" in their dealings.

The Student-Led Digital RevolutionSchools banning pupils from having smartphones are commonplace. But what about a school where pupils ban teachers from using their smartphones, and then get their parents to join in? At Holy Family Catholic primary school in west London, teachers are barred from using laptops, monitors or tablets during the school's screen-free Mondays, after an idea that came from the pupils themselves.Yvonne Rutherford, the school's deputy head, said the screen-free days were such a success that they had become monthly events on the school's calendar. But she said the enthusiastic response from parents had been the biggest surprise.The Origins of Screen-Free MondaysThe idea for the screen break came from Sophie Janashia, a year 6 pupil at the state school in Ealing. She wanted her school to hear what children thought about smartphones and devices, and raised the possibility of an entirely screen-free school day with her classmates and teachers."I thought if maybe we could have just one day without screens, across the school so that no one was left out, it could be good for everyone," Sophie said. "It's difficult for parents to get their children off screens. We enjoy using screens but we can spend way too much time on them. It's very important to me because I see people I know spending all their time on screens and it means sometimes we are together but we're not really together."The Community ImpactAfter the first screen-free Monday, some parents sent in photographs of the family activities they did in the evening. "That set off more so that now we get a flood of photos every month, showing what they've been doing instead of screen time: playing cards and reading books, going for walks and doing sport with their children. It's been great to see," Rutherford explained.Students report carrying the screen-free routine into their evenings. Leo said: "At first it was just at school but then my parents joined in, and we started playing games after dinner instead of watching TV. I've got more time left after homework and violin practice."Others said they liked having their parents less distracted by phones at mealtimes, giving them an opportunity for more attention and discussion. "Sometimes when they are using their phone, they say they have to because it's for work, but I don't think it is," said one student.Parental TransformationFabiola Vicente, a parent of a pupil in year 6, said the screen-free days made her more aware of how much time she spent on her phone. "It's a bad habit that crept up on me," she said. She now makes a conscious decision to leave her phone in another room on other days of the week too."My first thought was: what am I going to do if they can't watch TV? But now we are more prepared, we say, OK it's a screen-free day so let's get ready to do something together," Vicente added.Hisae Suzuki, another parent at the school, said her daughter had been "a little bit addicted" to screens so the introduction of screen-free days was "a good reminder – we all knew about it but we didn't do anything about it, we needed a trigger".National Attention and Future OutlookThe initiative has attracted interest from other schools in the area, who have visited Holy Family and spoken to Sophie and her classmates about screen-free days and other aspects such as online safety.The government has taken notice too. Sophie recently took part in a discussion with Liz Kendall, the technology secretary, who is considering plans to ban or restrict social media for under-16s. Kanishka Narayan, the minister for AI and online safety, has also visited the school to speak to Sophie and pupils who act as online safety ambassadors for their peers.As digital device usage continues to rise, particularly among children, the Holy Family model represents a potential blueprint for schools nationwide seeking to balance technology use with real-world connection and healthy boundaries. The student-led approach has proven particularly effective, suggesting that when young people are empowered to shape their own environments, they can create meaningful change that extends beyond the classroom into family homes and communities.

The Struggle to Find Employment in Grimsby In the Lincolnshire seaside town of Cleethorpes, a 19-year-old man named Cohen is sitting in the back seat of a car, putting on an Easter bunny outfit. He is hoping to use new photographs to advertise his mascot business for the upcoming holidays. Cohen, who has a learning disability, lives with his parents in neighbouring Grimsby and set up Co Co Mascots last year as one of his many attempts to find work. The Challenges of Job Hunting with a Disability Cohen has been applying for roles in holiday parks, retail, charity shops, and even the local football club Grimsby Town FC, which was recruiting for a new mascot. Despite his efforts, he has yet to find paid work. "The hardest thing is not hearing back [from a job application] and not getting feedback," says Cohen. "I start overthinking because I want it [a job] too much. A lot of the time, I think they [employers] will see you have a disability and will pick the person without one because they think the person with a disability is more work." The Economic Reality of Grimsby Grimsby was recently dubbed Britain's "worklessness capital" by the Telegraph due to the large proportion of its working-age people claiming benefits. The town has a higher number of working-age adults out of employment than the national average, and 41% of under-16s in the town live in relative low-income families. Once one of the world's largest fishing ports, Grimsby is still the UK's biggest fish-processing hub, reportedly making every other fish finger eaten across the country. The Impact on Young People For many young people in coastal places such as Grimsby, finding paid employment is hard – and having a disability compounds the issue. Cohen has been volunteering in charity shops and at food banks for more than a year now, and doesn't see his disability as a barrier to working. "My mind can wander a bit when I work so I need a nudge every so often. I just need a bit of support until I get used to the job and what is expected of me." The Future Outlook The Guardian's Against the Tide project aims to report on the lives of young people in coastal communities across England and Wales. The project will examine what kind of changes young people need to build the futures they want for themselves. For Cohen, he will continue to throw everything at his job search, hoping to find a permanent role that suits his needs and abilities.

The Race to Regulate: Starmer's DeadlineUK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has pledged to act "very, very quickly" on social media regulation, signaling a decisive shift in government policy following a high-pressure consultation period. The announcement is expected to come before the Makerfield byelection next month, driven by the emotional weight of recent tragedies and a massive public response.Defining the 'Addictive' DesignThe government is expected to announce a crackdown that could include strict age limits for under-16s or the removal of allegedly addictive design features, or a combination of both.Platforms at Risk: Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Roblox, and Snapchat.Proposed Restrictions: Daily screen time limits, bans on infinite scrolling, autoplay, likes, comments, and push notifications.Enforcement Mechanism: Platforms may be blocked for children if they cannot prove their features are safe.The Scale of Public BacklashThe momentum for this legislation is driven by an unprecedented response to the government's consultation, which has been analyzed with the help of an AI system called Consult.Total Responses: 81,000 (including 42,000 parents and 14,000 young people).Global Context: Australia, France, Denmark, Spain, Indonesia, and Malaysia have already implemented or are considering similar bans.Tech Giants vs. The StateThe proposed rules face significant resistance from the technology sector, with Meta arguing that breaking algorithms would hurt user experience and suggesting age verification should be handled by operating systems rather than individual apps.A Global Precedent for Digital SafetyThe UK's move to implement these rules before the end of the year could set a critical precedent for global tech regulation, though it risks legal challenges if the consultation process is deemed flawed.

The Government's Plan to Regulate Social Media Keir Starmer has announced that the government will take action to regulate social media use among teenagers 'very quickly' after a consultation on the topic ends tonight. The Consultation and Proposed Measures The consultation on children and social media is closing this evening, and Starmer emphasized that the government has received many responses and held discussions with parents and experts. Starmer stated: 'The question now is not whether we do something, we are going to act, I'm absolutely clear that this needs to be something where there's a game changer.' He did not specify which crackdown options the government would choose. The Impact on Teenagers and Social Media The proposed measures are likely to include time limits, curfews, or a ban on certain platforms for under-16s. The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges has called for action, stating that 'unfettered exposure to tech and devices is currently having on children and young people's health.' The Future of Social Media Regulation The government's decision to regulate social media use among teenagers reflects growing concerns about the impact of social media on children's health and wellbeing. The move is expected to have significant implications for the tech industry and social media platforms.