> The goal of these laws is to get ID checks on social networks for everyone

The UK government is nowhere near competent enough to be that stealthy.

Also, it already has this ability already. Identifying a person on social media is pretty simple, All it takes is a request to the media company, and to the ISP/phone provider.

> If a 12yo kid (or younger) can somehow obtain money and a phone and keep it hidden from their parents,

Then you have bigger fucking problems. If a 12yo can do that, in your home and not let on, then you've raised a fucking super spy.

> parents can and should have total control of their child.

Like how? constantly check their phones? that's just invasion of privacy, your kid's never going to trust you. Does the average parent know how to do that, will they enforce non-disappearing messages?

Allowing kids to be social, safe and not utter little shits online is fucking hard. I'm really not sure how we can make sure kids aren't being manipulated by fucking tiktok rage bait. (I mean adults are too, but thats a different problem)