Keir Starmer has pledged to take stronger actions against addictive features on social media following a ruling that held Meta and Google responsible for causing addiction. The ruling found that platforms designed by Meta and YouTube, a Google-owned platform, were negligent in creating addictive environments that led to significant mental health issues for a young woman, resulting in a £2.2 million award.
In response to the California jury trial outcome, Starmer acknowledged a shift in public sentiment towards social media addiction and emphasized the need for more robust protections for children. He highlighted ongoing consultations on potential measures like banning social media for those under 16 and expressed a commitment to addressing addictive features on social media promptly.
The California jury’s decision of malice on the part of both companies opens the door for punitive damages in addition to the initial award. Google intends to appeal the verdict, asserting that YouTube is a streaming platform, not a social media site.
Meanwhile, concerns have arisen within the education sector as reports indicate that students are using AI to manipulate videos of teachers, creating deep-fake clips that depict false scenarios of teachers behaving abusively. The NASUWT union has raised alarm over these manipulated videos circulating on platforms like TikTok, warning of the potential harm to teachers’ professional and personal lives.
As discussions continue on social media regulation and the impact of technology in education, the need for safeguards against addictive online behaviors and harmful practices remains a pressing issue.
