Why social media ban for teenagers is dangerous — Telegram CEO

Telegram CEO, Pavel Durov, has explained why a social media ban for teenagers under 16 years old is dangerous. 

Tribune Online reports that the UK government is considering measures that would prevent children under the age of 16 from accessing major social media platforms. 

The proposal is part of a wider effort to improve online safety and could affect services including Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Facebook, YouTube and X.

The plans would also introduce stronger age-verification requirements, meaning users may have to prove their age through identification documents, facial scans or bank card checks.

The proposed UK social media restrictions have drawn criticism from Durov, who argues that stricter rules cannot replace parental responsibility.

Reacting to the proposal in a series of posts on X, Durov questioned whether the restrictions would achieve their intended purpose.

“Banning social media for teenagers only puts them in greater danger. Teens are forced to switch to VPNs and unlock far worse illegal content.

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“We’ve seen this before. When the Russian government banned Telegram, 95% of Russian teenagers kept using it. They just moved to VPNs.

“No law can replace good parenting.

“Parents already have the tools to limit kids’ digital consumption: parental controls, screen-time limits – or no smartphone at all.

“Instead, many parents give toddlers iPads just to keep them quiet.

“No amount of regulation will fix that.”

Durov also raised concerns about the age-verification aspect of the proposal.

“All social media users in the UK will have to ‘prove’ they’re over 16 with an ID, face scan or bank card.

“Thousands in the UK are already arrested for political posts every year. Is this really about protecting children – or identifying more people to arrest?” He remarked.