Social media. The addiction was the business model.
Social media is being banned for under-16s, and infinite scroll, autoplay and disappearing messages for under-18s. The features that built the platforms are about to become illegal.
THE GIST ON SOCIAL MEDIA: "Hooked"
What has the UK banned?
Social media was banned in the UK for under-16s today. Infinite scroll, autoplay and disappearing messages are going with it for under-18s. The features that built social media are about to become illegal, because the addiction was the business model.
How did the argument change?
For years, the argument was about the content of social media. Now it's about the platforms themselves. In April, Parliament passed a law giving ministers power to ban specific features. The consultation closed in May with 116,000 responses. This morning, Keir Starmer announced the result.
Why those features?
Every social media company is valued on minutes per user, and those features are what get them the minutes. Infinite scroll was developed in 2006 by an engineer at Mozilla. He later apologised for what he'd done, but by then every major app had copied it. Then came algorithmic feeds, autoplay and streaks, each one engineered to make leaving harder.
What happens next?
Britain is the second country in the world to do this, after Australia last year. Denmark, France and Spain are following. The legislation goes before Parliament by Christmas, and the ban could be enforced by spring of next year.
This is what happens when a successful product becomes a public health problem. Like smoking, like gambling, like sugar. How do you think they're going to adapt?
Will the under-16 ban actually work?
Your take. One tap, then see how everyone else voted.
Quick answers
What is being banned?
Social media for under-16s, and infinite scroll, autoplay and disappearing messages for under-18s.
When will it be enforced?
The legislation goes before Parliament by Christmas and the ban could be enforced by spring of next year.
Is Britain the first country to do this?
No, it is the second after Australia last year. Denmark, France and Spain are following.
See you on the next one.
What should the next one be? Suggest a topic for Huw to explain
The conversation
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