The Liberal Democrats are proposing strict regulations on social media, including cigarette-style health warnings to highlight the mental health risks such as anxiety, sleep issues, and attention span damage associated with online use, especially among children.

Victoria Collins, the party's science and technology spokesperson, will present these measures at the Bournemouth conference, emphasizing the need for industry regulation and criticizing the government for insufficient action.

Collins also advocates for a 'doomscroll ban' to limit children's screen time, aligning with concerns about the negative impact of social media on youth mental health.

The party draws parallels between these social media warnings and traditional cigarette health warnings, stressing the importance of transparency regarding mental health risks.

Similar health warning proposals have been considered in the US, where warnings about sleep disorders, anxiety, and depression linked to social media use are being discussed.

A recent poll by Savanta indicates that 80% of parents with school-aged children have observed negative behaviors related to excessive phone use, including loss of interest in hobbies and conflicts over screen time.

The same survey reveals that many children have become disengaged from hobbies due to social media, and one in five parents have argued with family members over their children's device use, supporting calls for stricter online safety policies.

This push for regulation follows ongoing conflicts between Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey and Elon Musk, with Davey demanding an investigation into harmful content on Musk's platform, X, including child abuse images and self-harm instructions.

Sir Ed Davey is expected to call for Ofcom to investigate X during his speech, criticizing the government for not doing enough to protect children online amid broader political debates.