BBC Question Time host Fiona Bruce confronted entrepreneur Tom Skinner over his social media use, accusing him of being 'part of the problem' during a debate on the dangers of platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Skinner, who has 536,000 TikTok followers and earns money promoting products online, squirmed under Bruce's questioning.
The exchange came after a landmark £2.2 million legal case found Meta and Google liable for causing addiction in users. Bruce challenged Skinner, saying: 'As you said, you are benefiting from social media... because of the addictive algorithms that will push people towards yours... In the nicest possible way, you are part of the problem.' Justice Minister Jake Richards, also on the panel, smiled at the remark.
Skinner hesitated before defending his content, calling it harmless. He admitted to scrolling 'absolute nonsense' himself but stressed parents' roles in protecting children. Other panellists argued his clips were innocent and did not drive the worst algorithms.
The legal case centred on claims that Meta and Google's platforms, including infinite scroll features, triggered addiction in a 20-year-old woman, worsening her mental health. Both firms deny the verdict and plan to appeal.
