Protesters gathered outside government offices and Meta's London headquarters on Friday, urging ministers to reconsider a proposed social media ban for under-16s. The group, Mad Youth Organise, argues that an age-based ban is not the solution and instead calls for action to curb the power of Big Tech.
Demonstration Highlights
Demonstrators installed pink telephones playing messages from young people advocating for algorithm control, removal of addictive features, and an end to advertising on platforms. Mad Youth Organise, formed by young people affected by social media's impact on mental health, proposes a four per cent 'misery tax' on tech corporations' UK revenue.
Proposed Solutions
This proposed tax would fund mental health services and the creation of community-led platforms, aiming to address the youth mental health crisis without a 'knee-jerk reaction' ban. The group accuses Meta of fuelling the youth mental health crisis and insists that a ban alone is insufficient.
Protesters say social media ban ‘isn’t the answer’ as they pile pressure on the government to tackle Big Tech through more comprehensive regulation.
