Starmer vows to ‘fight’ social media firms to protect children from addiction

Prime minister says government needs to show it is on families’ side as new screen-time guidance launched

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Keir Starmer has promised a “fight” with social media firms amid efforts to limit children’s use of mobile phones, tablets and TVs, as new official guidance recommends children under five spend no more than an hour a day on screens.

The guidance, developed by a panel led by the children’s commissioner, Rachel de Souza and children’s health expert Prof Russell Viner, advises screen time for children under two should be avoided other than for shared activities.