Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentIndependentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleSophie WingateTuesday 26 May 2026 11:19 BSTRelated: Social media ban for under-16s rejected after Commons voteA 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.In fullSocial media as dangerous as smoking for children, doctors warnThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in