The Liberal Democrats have unveiled a new policy initiative. They want to introduce mandatory alerts for young people online. Specifically, these Social Media Health Warnings Proposed would resemble those on cigarette packets. The party announced the plan at its autumn conference in Bournemouth. Consequently, they aim to protect teenagers from potential mental health harms.
Party technology spokesperson Victoria Collins described a public health “crisis.” She argued that social media apps are increasingly addictive for children. Moreover, she compared the risks to those of smoking or drinking alcohol. Therefore, she believes young users need clearer information. “We ensure they go into the experience with their eyes open,” Collins stated.
The policy includes two main components. First, pop-up warnings would appear when minors open apps. These alerts would inform users about risks like anxiety and sleep disruption. Second, the plan suggests a “doomscrolling cap.” This would limit under-18s to two hours of TikTok-style video content daily. The party cites its own research linking excessive use to shortened attention spans.
This proposal for Social Media Health Warnings Proposed follows international examples. The Lib Dems pointed to advice from US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy. He previously recommended directing teens to mental health research. Currently, UK regulations require platforms to change algorithms for young users. However, the Liberal Democrats argue these measures are insufficient.
The plan faces significant practical challenges. For instance, effectively verifying a user’s age online remains difficult. Additionally, enforcing a daily time cap would require complex technical solutions. Furthermore, critics may view this as excessive government intervention.
The party has a history of advocating for stricter online rules. They previously tried to raise the age for data collection from 13 to 16. Now, they are pushing the new Labour government to act. Collins accused ministers of making “noise” without delivering stronger protections.
Meanwhile, the government is considering its own limits. Options include a two-hour cap on individual apps and a 22:00 curfew. However, no final decisions have been announced. The debate over smartphones in schools also continues. Labour is reviewing guidance but has not mandated a nationwide ban.
Ultimately, the Social Media Health Warnings Proposed highlight growing concern. Children spend between two and five hours online daily according to Ofcom. The Liberal Democrats believe bold action is now necessary. They argue that digital products should carry health alerts just like physical ones. This policy sets a clear marker in the ongoing debate about child online safety.
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