Health Secretary Wes Streeting has called for decisive action regarding the regulation of social media use for individuals under 16, citing significant concerns about its negative impact on young people's well-being and future opportunities. He expressed worry that new technologies have been introduced without a full understanding of their consequences, particularly concerning their effects on the health and life chances of children. While acknowledging the potential positive aspects of online connectivity, Streeting emphasized the need for action, stating, "I’m certainly in favour of action in this area."
The debate comes as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's official spokesperson indicated that "all options are on the table" to protect children, and that the government is monitoring international developments, including a ban implemented in Australia. Streeting elaborated on his concerns, highlighting issues such as the impact of "doom-scrolling" on cognitive development, the extension of bullying into home environments via social media, body image concerns, and grooming risks. These concerns are echoed by the head of Ofsted, who noted a decrease in children's attention spans and an increase in disrespectful behavior, and by a NASUWT survey where a majority of teachers linked deteriorating pupil behavior to social media. The UK's recent Online Safety Act addressed harmful online content for children, but an outright ban on social media for under-16s has so far been resisted by the government, despite similar measures being pledged by Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch and supported by figures like Nigel Farage.
