Alternatives to the UK government's social media ban

- The UK government has announced a ban on social media for under-16s, set to take effect in 2026, citing harms to mental health and safety. This article critiques the ban and proposes alternative approaches. - The author, Matt C. Smith, is a UK-based privacy and technology researcher who writes about digital rights, surveillance, and internet governance. - The ban and surrounding debate fit into a broader UK push to regulate online harms, including the Online Safety Act 2023, which requires platforms to remove illegal content and protect children. - Key alternatives discussed include age-appropriate design codes (like the UK's existing Age-Appropriate Design Code or "Children's Code"), digital literacy education, platform accountability requirements, and privacy-preserving age verification rather than blanket bans. - The piece reflects a common tension in tech policy: between protecting young people from online harms and preserving their access to information, peer networks, and digital participation.