Twitter and other social media services could be restricted under stronger powers suggested in response to the riots.
David Cameron promised that offenders would pay for their crimes after the riots, many of which were organised through social media services and mobile messaging systems.
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In an emergency Commons statement, the prime minister signalled a range of measures, including extended police powers, such as the ability to demand that suspected criminals remove face masks.
He also announced a review of dispersal rules, which could give police a "wider power of curfew". He said that police had failed in their initial response to the disturbances and insisted that he would press ahead with cuts in police budgets.
All available technology, and especially Twitter mobile messaging systems will undergo a review by police and intelligence services and as such, may face restrictions, Cameron added.
Last night, Louise Mensch, the Tory MP, provoked anger on Twitter by suggesting the social networking site should be shut off during riots.
"Common sense. If riot info and fear is spreading by Facebook & Twitter, shut them off for an hour or two, then restore. World won't implode," she tweeted.
Mensch was accused of calling for a "blackout" of information.
In a sombre address to MPs recalled from their summer break, Cameron promised to "restore a sense of morality" to Britain, laying much of the blame for the violence at the door of parents whose children took part. Rejecting claims that poverty lay behind the rioting and looting, Cameron said the root causes of the violence were cultural, not economic. "A culture that glorifies violence, shows disrespect to authority, and says everything about rights but nothing about responsibilities. The young people stealing flatscreen televisions and burning shops – that was not about politics or protest, it was about theft," he said.
Gang injunctions, which restrict the movements of people accused of being in gangs, will now be extended across the country, covering children as well as adults.
Among the raft of considerations announced in the Commons yesterday, include giving police new powers to confiscate criminals' assets and a review of dispersal powers, which could lead to police being given a "wider power of curfew".
Ministers will also consider whether the Army can take on some policing tasks to free up more officers for the front line.
In his statement, Cameron added that family breakdown and poor parenting had played a significant role. "In too many cases, the parents of these children – if they are still around – don't care where their children are or who they are with, let alone what they are doing," he said.
Meanwhile, the Treasury will provide funds for police authorities to meet compensation claims made under the Riot Damages Act, and a £20million high street support scheme has been set up to help affected businesses get back up and running.
Councils will receive a share of £10m set aside to clear up the riot damage.
This weekend, there will be a reinforced police presence on the streets of London with 16,000 officers deployed.
