Social Media Health Risks for Children Equate to Smoking, British Medical Leaders Warn
- tech360.tv
- 10 hours ago
- 2 min read
Senior British doctors warn that social media poses a danger to children that ranks alongside smoking. The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges urged lawmakers to address the harm caused by excessive screen time.
The medical body represents 23 royal medical colleges and faculties across the United Kingdom and Ireland. Clinicians are resoundingly united regarding the health impacts of unfettered tech and device exposure on young people.
More than 50% of 132 surveyed doctors witnessed health harm related to tech and devices at least once a week. Furthermore, over 33% of these clinicians observed evidence of such harm multiple times a week.
Reported harms include physical injuries from replicating extreme online pornography and mental health trauma from viewing violence. The medical profession is also comparing the significance of this issue to wearing seatbelts in cars.
Britain is currently consulting on restricting social media access for children, including a potential ban for those under 16. Other options under consideration include curfews, app time limits, and curbs on addictive design features.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall stated that the government will act through either a total ban or feature restrictions. Existing online safety laws already require social media companies to protect children from illegal and harmful content.
Hundreds of British families are currently testing social media bans, curfews, and app time limits. These trials aim to measure the impact of restrictions on child sleep, family life, and schoolwork.
Experts remain divided on the effectiveness of a total ban. Additionally, a group of young people in London recently expressed opposition to the proposed restrictions.
Australia became the first nation to ban social media for children under 16 last year. Several European nations are now considering similar legislative measures to restrict access for minors.
Senior British doctors state that social media dangers rank alongside smoking and seatbelt safety.
Over 50% of surveyed doctors see tech-related health harms weekly, ranging from physical injuries to mental trauma.
The British government is considering a social media ban for children under 16, alongside curfews and app limits.
Source: REUTERS
