‘Addiction is irreversible’: Hong Kong urged to ban under-16s from social media

Hong Kong should follow international peers in legislating to bar children under 16 from social media to combat cyberbullying and addiction, education experts and lawmakers have said, while stressing the need for broad social consensus.At a panel discussion on Saturday to examine proposals to restrict social media access for under-16s, educators and lawmakers argued that legislation was needed to signal the government’s stance and drive efforts to prevent the next generation from being harmed by such platforms.Lilian Chan Lui Ling-yee, honorary president of the Yan Oi Association of Principals and a seasoned educator, said social media addiction was the biggest problem facing education and that legislation was required to protect children.