Social media is increasingly being seen as a serious threat to the health of children and adolescents. In the UK, doctors have raised the alarm, comparing the impact of digital platforms to well-known social risks such as smoking. The Academy of Royal Colleges of Physicians, which represents 23 professional organisations in Britain and Ireland, has called on the British government to take stronger measures to protect minors from addiction to social media. In a report presented to a national consultation on online child safety, doctors warn that uncontrolled exposure to technology is having serious physical and psychological consequences for young people.
According to the report, more than half of the 132 doctors surveyed saw cases of injuries related to the use of technological devices and social networks every week, while over a third stated that they face such cases several times a week.
Doctors say the problems range from physical harm caused by watching violent or sexual videos to psychological trauma, anxiety, depression and screen addiction. Britain, like most European countries, is currently considering new restrictions on the use of social networks by minors. Among the proposals discussed are banning access for children under 16, imposing time limits on applications, and blocking certain features that are considered to be designed to encourage addiction. The British government has stated that the current law on online safety is no longer sufficient to protect young people from harmful content.
Britain’s Technology Secretary, Liz Kendall, told the BBC that the government was determined to intervene. She said the question was no longer whether measures would be taken, but what form they would take, not ruling out a complete ban on social media for children under 16.
Australia has become the first country in the world to ban social media for children under 16, and several European countries are considering similar measures. Meanwhile, in Britain, hundreds of families are taking part in social experiments to test the effects of nighttime phone bans, time limits and reduced app use. The aim is to understand how these measures affect children’s sleep, school performance and family relationships. However, experts remain divided on the effectiveness of a total ban.
Some argue that restrictions can protect children’s mental health, while others warn that outright bans could lead to social isolation or other hidden ways of using. Even young people themselves have spoken out against the tough measures. A group of teenagers in London told Reuters they oppose the restrictions, arguing that social media is part of their daily lives and how they communicate with society. As the debate continues, pressure on governments to impose stronger rules on online safety is growing.