The UK Parliament’s Education Committee calls for a statutory ban on social media for under-16s, citing harms to development, behavior, and mental health. It links harms to bullying, misogyny, abuse, and sexual exploitation that children may face when using social platforms. The committee also urges government action targeting “addictive design elements” used for under-18s, including infinite scrolling, algorithmic promotion, and auto-playing videos. These features are said to increase time on screens, disrupt sleep, reduce attention, and contribute to behavior problems. The committee argues that social media companies are not taking full responsibility and cannot be trusted to self-regulate, including in schools where mobile phone use can distract and undermine education.
"From bullying and misogyny to abuse and sexual exploitation, children and young people growing up today face a deluge of serious harms whenever they log on to social media. The same platforms that connect them to their friends, or introduce them to new hobbies, are putting their mental health and wellbeing at risk."
"As well as a ban, the committee also wants to see the government take action on the “addictive design elements” social media platforms incorporate into their products for under-18s, such as “infinite scrolling” content feeds, algorithmic promotion of posts, and auto-playing videos. Committee members say these features specifically lead to increased time spent in front of screens, sleep disruption, reduced attention, and behavior problems."
"Hayes said social media platforms are failing to take responsibility for the developmental issues to which their platforms' designs are contributing. “In the most extreme cases, inaction can have truly horrific consequences,” she said. “Yet social media companies have not taken full responsibility for the behaviour on their platforms.”"
"“Based on the evidence my committee has received, I simply do not believe that companies who profit from interactions with children can be relied upon to self-regulate. In schools, mobile phone use can distract children, increase the risk of behavioural problems, and ultimately undermine their education.”"
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