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1h ago

Lib Dems Urge Health Warnings and Doomscrolling Limits for Children on Social Media

The proposals add to a debate over whether the UK should go beyond the Online Safety Act to restrict addictive features for under‑18s.

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The Liberal Democrats have called for the government to go further to protect children from harmful social media use
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Overview

  • Party science spokesperson Victoria Collins will set out plans at the Lib Dem conference in Bournemouth calling for cigarette‑style health warnings on apps used by under‑18s.
  • The Lib Dems want a legal “doomscrolling cap,” with The Times reporting a proposed two‑hour daily limit on TikTok‑style video viewing for children.
  • Labour ministers are reportedly considering a separate two‑hour cap for children’s social media use, according to The Times, with an announcement expected in the coming weeks.
  • Polling commissioned by the Lib Dems from Savanta found about 80% of 611 UK parents of school‑aged children reported at least one negative behaviour linked to excessive phone use.
  • A government spokesperson pointed to the Online Safety Act’s child‑safety duties and said ministers will act where needed, as schools trial smartphone restrictions citing improvements in pupil wellbeing and behaviour.