Story perspectives

UK Parents Demand Urgent Social Media Ban for Kids

3/7/2026

Center

Parents Demand Social Media Ban

Bereaved parents in the UK urge MPs to support an immediate ban on social media for under-16s, citing online dangers.
They warn delays could expose more children to harm, while the government considers curfews and a consultation ending May 26.
Critics say the ban could disadvantage UK teens, and the government also plans to limit access to AI chatbots.

Right

Hafid Enforces Social Media Ban

Indonesia will ban social media for children under 16, effective from March 28, targeting high-risk platforms such as YouTube and TikTok.
The measure follows Australia’s similar ban, which revoked 4.7 million minor accounts.
Meutya Hafid, Indonesia's Communications and Digital Affairs Minister, said the policy aims to protect children from cyberbullying and addiction.
Jakarta residents support the restrictions and some parents urge blocking harmful sites such as pornography and gambling.

History

Historical Context

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), enacted by the European Union in 2017, mandated parental consent for processing data of minors under 16, influencing major companies like Facebook and Google. Recent proposals in the UK and Indonesia for social media bans for users under 16 reflect ongoing global concerns about children's online safety, particularly regarding cyberbullying and addiction, potentially reshaping social media engagement.

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Parents Demand Social Media Ban

Bereaved parents in the UK urge MPs to support an immediate ban on social media for under-16s, citing online dangers.
They warn delays could expose more children to harm, while the government considers curfews and a consultation ending May 26.
Critics say the ban could disadvantage UK teens, and the government also plans to limit access to AI chatbots.

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