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. joins a growing number of countries looking to safeguard kids online. Australia became the first to impose such a ban late last year, and other countries, including Canada, France, and Denmark, have started developing their own bans. 'Every parent can see it with their own eyes, social media is making children unhappy,' Starmer said during a press conference. 'It's making it easier for bullies to harass and abuse them, and it could even be harming their mental health, exposing them to...
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