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BBC host criticizes social media influencer Thomas Skinner on Question Time

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BBC host criticizes social media influencer Thomas Skinner on Question Time
Key Points
  • Fiona Bruce criticized Thomas Skinner for his role in social media addiction on BBC Question Time
  • Skinner admitted to excessive social media use while promoting positivity on TikTok
  • The panel discussed a recent legal case where Meta and Google were ordered to pay damages for social media addiction

Thomas Skinner appeared on the BBC's Question Time show this week, with the episode airing on Thursday, March 27. The show was held in Clacton on Sea, where the panel discussed social media addiction. Fiona Bruce suggested Skinner is part of the problem young people face with social media usage, questioning his dual role as a beneficiary and critic of the platforms.

Skinner has 536,000 followers on TikTok, and his platform is about spreading positivity and love. His videos are mainly of him in Deano's Cafe in New Spitalfields Market, saying 'Good morning you lovely people' and showing his breakfast. Skinner admitted that social media is bad when people sit on their phone all day, and he has done it himself, sometimes scrolling for hours when he should be sleeping.

It's bad. It's bad when people sit on their phone all day. I've seen it myself. I've done it myself, I sometimes know I've got to be up in four hours and I've sat there and I've scrolled my brains through, watching absolute nonsense.

Thomas Skinner, Former The Apprentice candidate and media personality

2 million) in damages this week. Skinner suggested parents should limit children's social media use to an hour in the evening. Other panellists stepped in to defend Thomas Skinner, highlighting the complexities of balancing social media influence with personal responsibility.

I don't know if anyone has seen my videos, but my videos are mainly of me in a cafe called Deano's Cafe in new Spitalfields Market, saying 'Good morning you lovely people', showing what I've got for breakfast and going, 'bosh'.

Thomas Skinner, Former The Apprentice candidate and media personality

There's a time and a place... if you've got kids, as parents you should say, 'listen, kids, you can have it an hour in the evening' or whatever you want to do.

Thomas Skinner, Former The Apprentice candidate and media personality
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