Social media bans might steer kids into riskier corners of the internet

Governments proposing bans on under-16s from social media are driving debate over age-verification systems that require sensitive data; the report warns such measures can increase data collection and create new risks. It cites a 2025 third-party vendor breach tied to Discord that potentially exposed government ID photos of ~70,000 users, and highlights how children bypassing protections can encounter scams, insecure VPNs, and account takeovers. The piece argues bans alone are insufficient and recommends education for parents and children rather than policies that expand surveillance.