Summary
Overview
This episode of Page 94 explores the evolving landscape of social media, with new Ofcom data revealing declining engagement and changing user behavior, particularly around the debate over banning social media for under-16s. The panel examines Reform UK and the Green Party's policy platforms ahead of local elections, noting both parties' sophisticated use of podcasts and social media for political campaigning. The episode concludes with a dramatic reading of Facebook messages between Prince Harry and a Mail on Sunday journalist, revealing a previously undisclosed friendly relationship during his litigation against Associated Newspapers.
The Decline of Traditional Social Media Engagement
Recent Ofcom research reveals a significant shift in how people use social media, with posting and active participation dropping to under half of users. The platforms are evolving from participatory spaces where friends shared content into passive video consumption channels, mimicking TikTok's algorithm-driven model. While people claim to miss the old chronological feeds of friends' posts, data shows users actually prefer algorithmic content tailored to their interests, leading all major platforms to pivot toward short-form video.
- Ofcom data shows posting to social media has dropped to just under half of people, down from previous years
- All social media platforms are becoming lean-back video consumption rather than participatory, following TikTok's model
- Users claim to want chronological friend feeds, but data shows they actually prefer algorithmic content delivery
- Making video content has a higher barrier to entry than text or photos, contributing to less posting
" All media will eventually, in the same way that all life forms on Earth become crabs eventually, so all media eventually ends up being video. "
" People always say they miss the old days of Instagram where it would just be things their friends posted, but every single study that has ever been undertaken by social media companies shows that that's bollocks. "
The Social Media Ban Debate and Mental Health Concerns
The UK government is conducting a consultation on banning social media for under-16s, with trials happening in 300 homes and a major longitudinal study in Bradford running until 2027. Australia has already implemented such a ban, though early evidence suggests 70% of kids are bypassing it. The debate reveals tensions between protecting children and the lack of consensus in research about social media's mental health impacts, with platforms now being considered essential infrastructure rather than optional services.
- Government consultation running for three months has received 30,000 responses so far on potential under-16s ban
- Trials in 300 UK homes testing social media restrictions, with Bradford study tracking impacts until 2027
- Only 36% of people now say social media is good for their mental health, down from 42% two years ago
- Australia's under-16 ban shows 70% of kids finding ways around age verification systems
- No research shows social media has same addictive effects as smoking or drugs on dopamine receptors
" We all know that there is nothing more powerful than a motivated teenager that wants to do something you don't want them to do. You always find a way around. And social media bans are no exception. "
" By implementing a ban for under 16s what you're effectively doing is letting these companies off the hook slightly because rather than requiring them to make meaningful changes to the manner in which they operate you instead just cutting off the people from using them. "
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