New UK bill could force social media firms to make content less addictive for under 16s

Josh MacAlister, the Labour MP behind the private member’s bill, says evidence is mounting that children’s heavy social media use is causing ‘widespread harm’. Photograph: Yui Mok/PA

Social media companies could be forced to exclude young teens from algorithms to make content less addictive for under-16s, under a new bill with heavyweight backing from Labour, Conservatives and child protection experts.

The safer phones bill, a private member’s bill from a Labour MP that has high priority in parliament, will be discussed by ministers this week.