UK follows in Australia’s footsteps, announces ban on social media for under-16s

 AI “romantic companion” chatbots will have to enforce a minimum age of 18 and under-16s will be banned from live-streaming themselves and from making contact with strangers, including on gaming platforms. YouTube was among the first companies to criticise the ban. A spokesperson said: “YouTube is a vital resource for young people, educators and parents. Blanket bans push kids out of such curated, supervised, beneficial experiences, and towards anonymous, less safe services.” AI “romantic companion” chatbots will have to enforce a minimum age of 18 and under-16s will be banned from live-streaming themselves and from making contact with strangers, including on gaming platforms. YouTube was among the first companies to criticise the ban. A spokesperson said: “YouTube is a vital resource for young people, educators and parents. Blanket bans push kids out of such curated, supervised, beneficial experiences, and towards anonymous, less safe services.”