𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗡𝗲𝘁

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗡𝗲𝘁

The UK is banning social media for children under 16. Most people think this only means TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat. They are wrong.

The new rules target any system that builds relationships with children. This includes AI chatbots and gaming apps.

Here is what you need to know:

• AI chatbots that simulate companions face restrictions for those under 18.
• Gaming apps with livestreaming or stranger chat face new rules.
• The government might disable infinite scrolling for minors.
• Overnight curfews for social media access are under discussion.

The UK learned from Australia. Australia banned social media for under 16s first. The results showed that enforcement is hard. 78 percent of minors still accessed banned platforms. Many tried to bypass the rules.

The UK is not trying to fix enforcement alone. They are widening the scope. If you ban TikTok but leave AI companions open, the problem remains. AI tools like Character.AI attract the same young users.

This is a massive risk for AI companies. Social media giants already have age verification systems. Most AI companies do not. The UK now requires these systems. Penalties target companies, not the children.

The logic follows financial laws. Regulators do not care what you call a product. They care what the product does. If a system forms a relationship with a minor and sells their attention, it falls under these rules.

The regulatory blueprint for AI was written in London. It covers more than just social media.

Source: https://dev.to/thesythesis/the-wider-net-cco

Optional learning community: https://t.me/GyaanSetuAi