UK medical leaders have warned that social media poses growing risks to children, comparing the issue to historic public health campaigns involving smoking and seatbelt laws. The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges made the comments in a report submitted to the government's consultation on child online safety, which closes this week.
The academy, which represents 22 royal medical colleges across the UK, said children were being exposed to 'hateful, addictive and grossly distressing content' through social media platforms. The intervention has increased pressure on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to consider stricter restrictions on social media access for under-16s.
