UK PM declares war on "doomscrolling" with proposed under-16 ban and strict liability for algorithmic addiction.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has opened a new front in the battle for online safety, pledging a sweeping crackdown on the "addictive elements" of social media platforms. In a move that signals a decisive shift from self-regulation to state intervention, the government is consulting on measures that could fundamentally alter how the internet operates for young people in the UK, including a potential ban on social media access for those under 16.

Speaking ahead of a public consultation launch, Starmer framed the issue as a public health crisis. “Technology is moving really fast, and the law has got to keep up,” he declared. The proposals target the very mechanics of engagement—infinite scroll features, auto-play videos, and gamified notifications—that keep users hooked for hours. These features, often referred to as "doomscrolling" triggers, are accused of fueling a mental health epidemic among teenagers.

Beyond the Ban

While the headline-grabbing proposal is the under-16 ban, the legislative package also includes closing loopholes in existing safety laws. The government aims to introduce powers that would allow for rapid legal updates in response to emerging digital threats, preventing the law from lagging behind innovation. This follows a high-profile clash with Elon Musk’s X platform, where the Grok AI chatbot was used to generate deepfake images, an incident Starmer cited as proof that "no platform gets a free pass."

The inclusion of "Jools' Law" principles—preserving children’s digital footprints for investigations—adds a forensic dimension to the safety plans. Opponents, however, argue that age bans are technically unenforceable and risk driving children to darker, unregulated corners of the web. They call for better education and parental tools rather than blanket prohibition.

A Global Precedent?

If enacted, the UK’s laws would be among the strictest in the democratic world. Starmer is betting that parents, exhausted by the battle for their children’s attention, will back the heavy hand of the state. “As a parent of two teenagers, I know this is front and centre,” he wrote. The message is clear: the era of the "wild west" internet is ending, and the UK intends to be the sheriff.