As a teenager I was intensely isolated from my peers. I had been removed from education by a parent and, along with my siblings, spent all my time at home. I had little in the way of homeschooling.

The internet, and in particular social mediums, ended up giving me a lifeline. It was my connection to the outside world and gave me a way to socialise, as well as signpost me to subjects I could then look up and learn.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/social-media-to-be-banned-for-under-16s-in-landmark-government-move-to-givekids-their-childhood-back

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Social media to be banned for under-16s in landmark government move to give kids their childhood back

Social media platforms to be blocked from offering services to under-16s, marking a line in the sand and setting a new normal for future generations.

GOV.UK
@babe I can relate to this. I don’t know what I’d have done without the set of folks I formed genuine friendships with via IRC back in the day as a young teenager.