The US just handed the UK ammunition to regulate social media. Starmer is ready to use it
In a landmark US court ruling this week, a Los Angeles jury held Meta and Google liable for designing addictive social media features that harmed a young woman’s mental health, awarding her millions in damages.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is seizing on the verdict as a “turning point” that strengthens the case for tougher regulation back home.
Speaking in an interview with the Sunday Mirror during a visit to a primary school in south London, Starmer vowed to crack down on “addictive algorithms” and features like infinite scrolling and streaks that keep children hooked online.
“Addictive algorithms, clearly to my mind, shouldn’t be permitted,” he said. “This is the platforms trying to get children to stay on for longer, to get addicted. I can’t see that there’s a case for that, and therefore I can see we’re going to have to act.”
The jury’s decision against Meta (owner of Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp) and Google (owner of YouTube) marks one of the first major legal victories holding platforms accountable for intentionally engineering addictive experiences.
Starmer described it as signaling a broader shift in public expectations around protecting children.
“I do think the ruling is a bit of a turning point, to be honest. I think it’s the beginning of a different approach,” he told the Mirror. “Whatever we do, there have to be much stricter content restrictions.”
UK’s push for stronger rules
The UK government is already consulting on a range of measures, including potential outright bans on social media for under-16s, time limits, overnight curfews for apps, and restrictions on addictive design elements.
Starmer expressed openness to an Australia-style ban for minors, while stressing the need to “get the balance right” through consultation closing on 26 May.
He warned that the next generation “won’t forgive us if we didn’t act now,” adding: “Things will not stay as they are. This is going to change.”
Starmer also announced new official guidance on screen time: children aged 2–5 should be limited to one hour a day, with no screens during mealtimes or before bedtime, and under-2s avoiding them except for bonding activities.
The comments build on the UK’s existing Online Safety Act, which Starmer noted has already required updates to address emerging features like chatbots.
He called for mechanisms to keep legislation agile, such as “rolling provisions” or annual updates, because “the technology is moving really fast” and AI is developing exponentially.
