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A new submission to the government by the association of royal medical colleges highlights the effect of social media on children and criticises the government.
The submission says: “The harm being done to children online is not hypothetical. It is immediate, it is documented, and it is happening at scale.”
It is part of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology’s consultation ‘Growing up in the online world’.
Some of the impacts referenced are exposure to pornography, physical injury after following online trends and self-harm.
It also compiles examples from healthcare professionals of cases related to social media.
One of these references the death of a teenage girl who was stabbed by her partner during foreplay following content they had both seen online.
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“Successive governments have made an art form of inaction”
The submission says the UK government is behind other countries when it comes to addressing the issue.
This comes a month after the passing of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act which has some provisions about online safety for children.
Speaking with the BBC, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has promised “decisive” action in combating the effects of social media on children.
Read the submission here.
