- A report by the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges warns that social media poses a threat to young people's health comparable to smoking.
- Doctors are observing a rise in “radicalised children” exposed to harmful online content, with a survey revealing half treat at least one child weekly for online-related distress or injury.
- Former health secretary Wes Streeting and bereaved families are urging the government to implement a ban on social media for under-16s, likening its addictive nature to tobacco.
- The Government previously committed to introducing age or functionality restrictions for under-16s on social media, with proposals expected by summer and legislation by the end of the year.
- While some advocate for age limits, a coalition of children's organisations, including the NSPCC, calls for a broader overhaul of tech companies' business models, including bans on targeted advertising and manipulative design, rather than solely focusing on age restrictions.
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