UK bans kids under 16 from social media

Britain's government is passing a law that makes social media platforms responsible for keeping kids under 16 off their apps. The rule applies to TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, and Discord. If a child manages to get on, the platform has to prove they're over 16 — not just the kid claiming it.

The law targets the age verification problem head-on. Right now, platforms rely on self-declared birth dates and flimsy checks. The new system shifts the burden. Platforms that can't verify ages risk fines and enforcement. The UK has been pushing this for years, and it's finally taking shape.

Why this matters for us: Our abuelas and tías are already asking why their nietos and sobrinos can't put the phone down — now governments are trying to answer that question by making the apps, not the families, carry the weight.