Sir Keir Starmer has announced a full social media ban for children under 16. He is following Australia by introducing minimum age restrictions on sites including TikTok, Instagram, Threads, YouTube, Facebook and Snapchat, which will come into force next year. He is also planning “world-leading action on gaming services”, and is expected to announce restrictions for older teenagers that prevent late-night scrolling. Here, an experienced teacher tells India Sturgis how technology has changed the nature of her job dramatically – she now spends large amounts of time dealing with bullying, sexting and children’s lack of social skills.
After 20 years working as a teacher across state and private schools , not a lot shocks me.
But one summer afternoon, during a discussion related to news while teaching a classroom of 17-year-old girls, we began discussing being sent unsolicited and unwanted messages by someone they knew: specifically, “dick pics”. This happened, it turned out, far more than I’d imagined. I asked all of the young girls in front of me to put their hands up if they’d received one. All but two did (about 90 per cent). I was horrified. They were matter of fact. It was, they said, a regular and unremarkable part of their lives. They didn’t find it funny but they weren’t emotional about it. This was normalised behaviour.
Shorts
I’ve worked in inner-city comprehensives, independent schools and large academies with ages from 11 to 18 and the changes I’ve seen happen to children and their childhoods over the past two decades concerns me. While technology has always been around, and is frequently a source of good, within the last five years something seems to have insidiously and seismically shifted. I see it every day in my students’ behaviour, their ability to maintain focus, learn, socialise and relate to one another – and my ability to teach them.
Unrestricted and unmonitored access to technology, across all settings, is having a dulling and frequently destructive effect, changing how children think and act in the world. The Government’s social media ban for under 16s , while welcome and important, feels like throwing a pail of water on a raging forest fire. There is so much more to address.
Children come to me and break down
Several times I’ve dealt with the fallout of a girl, sometimes as young as 13, who has sent intimate photos of themselves (in underwear or of a body part) to someone, and then those images being widely and quickly shared throughout their peer group and beyond the school gates. They come to me and completely break down. It has been eating them up for weeks, they say, and the sense of mortification and shame is overwhelming. They can’t tell their parents.
In hindsight, you realise, they’ve been quiet lately. They were head over heels for their boyfriend. Their naivety in the face of young love: they never thought someone would do this to them. Even if the school had warned them (and we do – we teach them thoroughly about internet safety) children by nature make quick, impulsive decisions. We know a child’s prefrontal cortex – the part of the brain that governs impulse, control and planning – is still under development and undergoing key changes until well into that person’s twenties. Children and young people lack maturity about issues of trust, too, something technology plays into. Yet the mistakes they make are seen by everyone and never deleted or forgotten.
Forgetting how to be friends
Increasingly, my time is now taken up with teaching missing interpersonal skills. I’ve had to do so many friendship workshops to coach students about things such as how to say sorry in real life – looking each other in the eye – as their social skills have grown so poor and they are unused to real-world consequences.
I’ve seen children who have forgotten how to be friends with each other or speak up in a group. It’s not unusual for them to be together all day but only at night, when faced with a screen, type their real thoughts and feelings. Things get saved up during the day and then uploaded on group chats, or privately messaged using disappearing messages about the things they’ve not had the courage to say face-to-face.
Others build up online personas that are a total mismatch from how they are at school. Often it is the quieter children, who rarely speak up in class, whose language and behaviour, including picking fights, I find most surprising online.
Toxic messaging and horrifying imagery
I see all this because part of my job now entails wading through pages and pages of screengrabs printed and delivered to me from worried parents after they’ve seen a WhatsApp group their child is in with toxic messaging or truly horrifying imagery being shared.
Unfettered use of technology has made bullying more endemic and harder to trace. Snapchat, disappearing messaging and anonymous profiles make it impossible for us or parents to detangle who said what, and messages such as “go kill yours…
Read the full article at iNews →📄Source document: Keir Starmer→12 reports
openDemocracyIndependentCenter2 days agoThe article discusses public reaction to a proposed social media ban for under-16s, highlighting the emotional responses of teenagers and adults. It critiques societal dependence on smartphones and social media, using ironic tone and self-aware commentary.
Bias read (Center): The article does not take a clear ideological stance on policy or politics. It uses irony and self-reflection rather than advocacy, and focuses on cultural critique rather than political positions.
The IndependentIndependentCenter4 days agoA study conducted by researchers at the University of Surrey found that girls as young as nine feel pressure to live 'perfect lives' influenced by social media content creators. The research involved interviews with girls in years seven to 10 across schools in southeast England. Participants discussed how influencers promote ideals such as physical appearance, relationships, and career success. Younger girls expressed concerns about self-esteem and sought validation from family and peers, while older girls highlighted issues like comparison culture and the lack of diverse representation among
Bias read (Center): The article presents findings from a study without overtly favoring any political perspective. It focuses on the influence of social media on children's self-image and does not take a stance on broader political issues.
Official sources cited
- study University of Surrey Study on Influencer Culture and Children's Self-Image
The Guardian (UK)IndependentCenter4 days agoThe article discusses Keir Starmer's proposal to ban under-16s from social media, highlighting differing perspectives. A 13-year-old emphasizes the importance of platforms like Snapchat for social interaction, while Stephen Byrne notes mixed outcomes from similar bans in Australia. Chris Stokel-Walker criticizes the proposed ban as an ill-conceived political move lacking sufficient evidence.
Bias read (Center): The article presents multiple viewpoints without overtly favoring any side. It includes perspectives from a teenager, a former YouTuber, and a technology journalist, offering balanced commentary on the proposed social media ban.
Official sources cited
- government Keir Starmer
- organisation Stephen Byrne
- organisation Chris Stokel-Walker
New StatesmanIndependentCenter5 days agoThe article argues that while a proposed social media ban may not be effective in achieving its intended goals, it is still considered a positive measure.
Bias read (Center): The article presents an argument that acknowledges potential flaws in a policy but still supports its intent, suggesting a balanced perspective without overtly favoring one side.
Phys.orgIndependentCenter5 days agoBritain will implement a ban preventing children under 16 from using several social media platforms, including Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube. The policy aims to safeguard minors from exposure to harmful content and reduce their screen time.
Bias read (Center): The article presents a policy announcement without overtly favoring any political side. It reports the statement made by the Prime Minister and outlines the purpose of the ban without editorializing or emphasizing particular viewpoints.
Official sources cited
- government Prime Minister Keir Starmer's statement
Daily MirrorParty-alignedCenter6 days agoThe article discusses concerns raised by parents regarding children's addiction to social media, focusing on the recent announcement by Prime Minister Keir Starmer to implement a ban on social media for individuals under 16 years old. Justine Roberts, founder of Mumsnet, supports this initiative but emphasizes the need for further action to address the issue of online addiction and protect children from potential dangers.
Bias read (Center): The article presents information about a policy decision and quotes an individual expressing support for the policy while calling for additional measures. There is no evident bias in the framing, word choice, or emphasis. The content remains neutral and does not favor any particular political side.
iNewsIndependentLeft6 days agoSir Keir Starmer has proposed a social media ban for children under 16, inspired by policies in Australia. The article includes a teacher's account of how digital communication has impacted her work, particularly highlighting the prevalence of receiving unsolicited explicit images ('dick pics') among teenage students.
Bias read (Left): The article presents a teacher's perspective on the normalization of inappropriate digital behavior among teenagers, which aligns with concerns often raised by progressive voices about youth safety and digital regulation. The framing emphasizes the need for policy intervention, supporting a leftward
BBC News (UK)State / PublicCenter6 days agoThe UK government plans to introduce new social media restrictions aimed at protecting children online. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is expected to announce a ban preventing under-16s from accessing major platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram. The proposal includes stopping children from livestreaming on certain sites and communicating with strangers on gaming apps. While a government consultation indicates public support for these measures, some critics argue they could create additional issues.
Bias read (Center): The article presents both the government's position and opposing viewpoints without overtly favoring either side. It quotes the Prime Minister directly while also mentioning critics who oppose the proposed measures. The language remains neutral, avoiding loaded terms or biased phrasing.
Official sources cited
- government Government consultation findings
- press release Sunday Times report
The IndependentIndependentCenter7 days ago Funding boost for ‘Every Child Can’ ahead of expected under-16 social media banThe article mentions that Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is anticipated to implement restrictions on children's use of social media soon.
Bias read (Center): The article presents a factual statement without explicit ideological framing, word-choice, or emphasis that suggests a particular political leaning. It does not include quotes, opinions, or contextual elements that would indicate a slant.
iNewsIndependentCenter8 days ago My six year old got addicted to YouTube. Here’s what I wish I’d knownThe article discusses concerns over children's exposure to potentially harmful content on YouTube, using the author's personal experience with their six-year-old daughter who became obsessed with slime-related videos during the pandemic. The author questions why YouTube is not receiving similar scrutiny to other platforms like TikTok and Instagram, despite being widely used by children.
Bias read (Center): The article presents a personal account of a parent's concern regarding children's online behavior and does not take a clear ideological stance. It raises questions about platform safety but does not advocate for specific policy positions or show bias toward any political viewpoint.
Daily MirrorParty-alignedCenter13 days ago Parents warned social media reforms won't be 'one and done' as tech pace surgesUK ministers are set to introduce new online safety measures aimed at protecting children from potential harms on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. The proposed measures may include a ban on under-16s using these apps. Liz Kendall, the Technology Secretary, emphasized that these efforts will not be a one-time solution due to the rapid evolution of technology.
Bias read (Center): The article presents information without overtly favoring one side. It reports on proposed policy changes and quotes officials discussing the ongoing nature of the issue. There is no clear ideological framing or biased language.
Official sources cited
- government Liz Kendall
- government Keir Starmer
BBC News (UK)State / PublicCenter13 days ago Parents to receive guidance on children's screen time in UK firstThe UK government plans to release guidance for the first time on children's screen time, targeting ages five to 16. The guidance will include recommendations on appropriate screen usage, smartphone introduction, and the role of technology in education. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson emphasized the benefits of technology for children with special educational needs and argued against returning to a pre-digital era. Children's Commissioner for England, Dame Rachel de Souza, acknowledged the challenges families face in balancing technology use.
Bias read (Center): The article presents both perspectives on screen time—acknowledging the benefits of technology while also highlighting concerns about its impact on children’s health and development. It includes quotes from officials who advocate for balanced use without overtly favoring one side over the other. The
Official sources cited
- government Bridget Phillipson, Education Secretary
- government Dame Rachel de Souza, Children's Commissioner for England
United Kingdom