UK unveils sweeping social media ban for users under 16

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Monday that his government will impose a ban on social media use for children under 16 years of age. The ban would apply to a range of social media platforms, including Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and X. Messaging services like WhatsApp and Signal will not be included in the ban. There are also going to be limitations on AI tools, as AI “romantic companion” chatbots will have to ensure they are only usable by people over 18. The U.K. government has said its ban will go further than any other country’s. Starmer said a ban could be in place by next spring. The U.K. joins a growing number of countries looking to safeguard kids online.

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