British Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized the urgent need for social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok to curb endless scrolling, which leads young users to waste hours on mindless video consumption. He highlighted the addictive nature of these platforms’ algorithms and called for decisive action to address this growing concern.
In a significant development, the UK is exploring measures to restrict children’s access to social media, including potential bans, curfews, and app time limits. These initiatives aim to assess their effects on children’s sleep patterns, family dynamics, and academic performance. Starmer mentioned ongoing consultations about a possible ban on social media use for those under 16, stressing that the addictive scrolling features must be eliminated.
Starmer pointed out that social media companies have deliberately designed algorithms to foster addictive behaviors, prompting parents to urge government intervention. Notably, Australia became the first country to implement a ban on social media for children under 16 in December, with Greece and Indonesia following suit with similar restrictions.
The UK government has received over 45,000 responses to its consultation on children’s online safety, with the deadline for submissions set for May 26. Technology Secretary Liz Kendall encouraged parents, teenagers, and families to share their experiences and opinions on issues such as curfews, AI chatbots, and addictive platform features. She emphasized the importance of hearing from those directly affected by social media’s impact on young people.
