Worries that social media is making children lose touch with reality echo ancient Greeks’ fears about theatre

Worries that social media is making children lose touch with reality echo ancient Greeks’ fears about theatre

Banning under-16s from social media was one of Keir Starmer’s last acts as prime minister before he stepped down in July 2026. Following Australia’s ban on under-16s in 2025, which turbocharged the debate globally, the UK ban is timetabled for early 2027. As Meta’s $18bn (£13.2bn) recent settlement over teen addiction to its online platforms demonstrates, there is growing recognition that social media poses real risks to young people. Thinking a…