Former health secretary Wes Streeting has called for a partial ban on social media for under-16s, comparing the platforms to the tobacco industry. Speaking publicly for the first time since leaving government, Streeting argued that big tech companies are borrowing tactics from big tobacco to avoid regulation. The government is closing its consultation on age limits for social media platforms, with ministers expected to make a final decision within weeks.
Streeting's Strong Stance
Streeting said: "Social media should be treated like tobacco – it's extremely addictive, bad for our health, and big tech is borrowing the big tobacco playbook to avoid regulation. We've got to give our children their childhood back." He added: "A ban for under-16s must be the start, not the end. We have given the pen to tech moguls to write our future for us. It's time to take the pen back."
Streeting, who quit the government earlier this month in protest against Prime Minister Keir Starmer's leadership, was known as one of the strongest advocates for a ban within the cabinet. However, he faced resistance from colleagues who worried about unintended consequences, such as driving children to the dark web or leaving them ill-equipped to handle technology at age 16.
Medical and Professional Support
Streeting's comments echo a report by the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, which warned that social media and smartphone use "ranks alongside smoking and wearing seatbelts in cars as a unifying force for the medical profession." The report highlighted doctors seeing a "wave of radicalised children," including cases where youngsters joined suicide pacts or killed family pets after watching online content. Half of 454 doctors surveyed said at least once a week they treated a child whose mental distress or physical harm was linked to online content.
Government Consultation and Potential Measures
Ministers have been running a 12-week consultation on whether to follow Australia's example of setting a strict age limit on access. Other measures under consideration include:
- Age limits on app features like livestreaming, location sharing, and infinite scrolling
- Curbing personalised algorithms that create bespoke content feeds
- Mandatory screen curfews
- Restrictions on chatbots for certain age groups
The consultation closes at the end of Tuesday, with ministers promising a response this summer. A government spokesperson said: "Everyone – especially children and young people – should be able to have a positive, safe experience online. That's why we are consulting on a wide range of measures, from restricting social media access to potential app curfews, to ensure we get the balance right and protect young people from harm."
Diverse Views from Bereaved Parents and Children's Organisations
A group of bereaved parents who say social media played a role in their children's deaths will meet the prime minister on Tuesday. The group includes proponents of a ban, such as Esther Ghey, mother of murdered teenager Brianna Ghey, and opponents like Ian Russell, father of Molly Russell. Meanwhile, a coalition of children's organisations including the NSPCC, Girlguiding, and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) said age limits alone would not be enough. They called for a targeted ban on advertising, profiling, and manipulative design features, though they support a full ban for under-13s on personalised services like social media, AI chatbots, and some gaming systems.
The RCPCH said social media was causing "real harms and real dangers" to children after a survey of 60 paediatricians found widespread concern. The survey showed 49% of doctors cited self-harm and suicidal tendencies as their biggest concern, 45% mentioned bullying and peer conflict, and 39% cited mental health problems like anxiety and depression.
