Expert warns under-16s social media ban risks pushing children elsewhere

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 3 Nov, 06:24 · Archive

A treatment expert has warned that banning under-16s from social media could drive children to less-regulated platforms.

Zaheen Ahmed, Head of Treatment at The UKAT Group rehab facility in Halstead, has warned that an upcoming ban on social media for under-16s could drive children towards smaller, less-regulated platforms with weaker safeguarding measures. The concern is that restricting access to major platforms may simply shift the problem rather than solve it.

Ofcom has recommended several methods to verify users' ages, including photo-ID matching, banking-based checks, facial age estimation and digital ID services. However, Ahmed said these measures will not be sufficient on their own. He stated that 'age verification is a step in the right direction, but technology alone will not solve the problem'.

Ahmed highlighted that young people are often resourceful in circumventing restrictions. He warned of a risk that children could migrate to smaller, less established platforms where safeguarding measures may be weaker, potentially moving the problem to places that are harder to monitor.

He argued that restrictions should go beyond simply blocking access. According to Ahmed, the underlying issues around excessive screen time, compulsive behaviours and social media dependency need to be addressed. The alternative, he suggested, is playing a prolonged game of 'cat and mouse' with technology rather than tackling the root causes.

Ahmed stressed that any restrictions need to be accompanied by proper oversight, consistent regulation across all platforms and education around online safety. Without such measures, he warned, the ban risks pushing children to harder-to-monitor platforms rather than reducing social media addiction among young people.

How it is being reported

• Expert warns under-16s social media ban could push children to weaker platformsChildren could move to less-regulated social media platforms if the upcoming social media ban is not consistently applied across all platforms.Brentwood Guardian · 3 Nov, 05:00
• Expert warns under-16s social media ban could push children to weaker platformsChildren could move to less-regulated social media platforms if the upcoming social media ban is not consistently applied across all platforms.Colchester Gazette · 3 Nov, 05:00
• Expert warns under-16s social media ban could push children to weaker platformsChildren could move to less-regulated social media platforms if the upcoming social media ban is not consistently applied across all platforms.Echo (Basildon) · 3 Nov, 05:00

In this story: Zaheen Ahmed · The UKAT Group · Halstead · Ofcom

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