UK PM Urges Instagram & TikTok to Halt 'Addictive' Features

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has issued a stern warning to social media platforms (photo: x @Keir_Starmer)

JAKARTA - British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has issued a stern warning to social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok to immediately stop the "infinite scroll" feature, which is considered to make users, especially children, addicted.

In his statement on Monday, April 13, Starmer stressed that the algorithm mechanism designed to keep users watching content endlessly is a serious problem that needs to be addressed immediately. He called the feature one of the main causes of children spending hours in front of the screen without control.

"This addictive scrolling feature is very problematic. In my opinion, it should be eliminated," Starmer said in a radio interview.

The British government is currently reviewing various measures to limit the use of social media by children. One of the options being considered is a ban on access to social media for users under the age of 16. In addition, policies such as digital curfews, time restrictions on app use, and content monitoring are also being tested for their impact on sleep quality, family life, and children's academic performance.

This step comes as parents are increasingly concerned about the negative impact of social media. Starmer revealed that many parents are asking the government to intervene because digital platforms are deliberately designing algorithms that encourage addictive behavior.

This phenomenon is not only happening in England. A number of other countries are also starting to take firm steps. Australia, for example, has become the first country to officially ban the use of social media for children under 16 years of age. Meanwhile, countries such as Greece and Indonesia are also starting to implement similar policies, albeit with different approaches.

The British Minister of Technology, Liz Kendall, added that the government is currently opening a public consultation regarding this policy. More than 45,000 respondents have provided input, and the government is still open until May 26, 2026 for the public to express their opinions.

"We want to hear directly from parents who are concerned about the time their children spend in the online world, as well as the content they consume," said Kendall. He also emphasized the importance of hearing the voices of teenagers who live in the era of social media, including their views on features such as AI chatbots and current algorithm systems.

If this policy is actually implemented, then this could be a major turning point in the global social media industry. Platforms such as Instagram and TikTok will likely be forced to redesign their systems to be more child-friendly and no longer rely on "digital addiction" strategies as a way to retain users.

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