Lib Dems Push for Cigarette-Style Warnings on Social Media Apps for Kids
The Liberal Democrats are calling for tough new rules on social media apps to protect young people’s mental health, including cigarette-style health warnings and a two-hour daily cap on “doomscrolling” for under-18s. At their autumn conference in Bournemouth on Monday, the Lib Dem’s science and technology spokesperson Victoria Collins is set to argue that platforms like TikTok should carry clear warnings, comparing their risks to alcohol and cigarettes. “When we pick up a pack of cigarettes or a bottle of wine, we expect to be told about the harm those products will pose to our health. So why is social media, the key driver of a crisis in young people's mental health, any different?”
The party says these changes are needed to protect children from addictive algorithms and harmful content, with research showing links between excessive phone use and anxiety, sleep issues, and reduced attention spans. Polling commissioned by the Lib Dems found 80% of parents had noticed at least one negative effect in their children due to social media. Collins accused the government of dragging its feet, saying ministers “make noise” about online safety but fail to act.
While Labour is reportedly considering a similar two-hour cap and late-night curfews, critics argue that current efforts don’t go far enough. Some schools have already taken matters into their own hands by banning smartphones during the school day, with one headteacher describing the move as “transformational.” Meanwhile, campaigners and educators continue to raise concerns over violent and graphic content pushed to children by social media algorithms, often without them even searching for it.
