Keir Starmer has pledged to take stronger actions against addictive features on social media platforms following a ruling that held Meta and Google responsible for fostering addiction. The decision came after a California jury found Facebook’s Meta and Google’s YouTube negligent in creating addictive platforms that harmed an individual’s mental well-being, resulting in a £2.2 million compensation for a 20-year-old woman claiming long-term social media addiction damage.
In response to queries about the impact of a recent social media addiction case in the US, Starmer indicated a potential shift in public sentiment. He emphasized the need for enhanced protections for children and expressed intentions to explore measures such as prohibiting social media use for those under 16 years old. Starmer stressed the importance of addressing addictive elements within social media promptly, indicating readiness to act swiftly following consultations without unnecessary delays.
The jury’s ruling against Meta and Google for malicious conduct implies potential punitive damages beyond the initial £3 million award. Google contested the verdict, planning to appeal and clarifying that YouTube functions as a streaming platform rather than a social media site. Meanwhile, concerns have arisen within the education sector as the NASUWT union highlighted instances of students creating manipulated videos through AI to falsely depict teachers engaging in abusive behavior. The union warned that such deep-fake videos pose serious risks to educators’ professional reputations and mental well-being.
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