People will attack this policy, but after extensive government consultation, 90% of the parents of under-16s support it. They have watched social media consume huge portions of their children’s lives, so have a very different perspective. Social media amplifies narcissism, materialism, envy and division at an age when young minds are still developing. It keeps children trapped in a digital ecosystem designed to maximise engagement at the expense of real-world experiences, time outdoors, hobbies, independence, and learning how to socialise and build genuine friendships. Perhaps most damaging of all, it encourages constant comparison. Children are measuring themselves against carefully curated versions of other people’s lives every hour of every day. It creates feelings of inadequacy and anxiety on a scale that older generations simply never experienced. There will be much outrage about this, but this policy is truly about protecting children, and anyone who cares about the future of society should support it.
