Social media as bad for young people as smoking, top doctors say
The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges says doctors should routinely check on screen time and social media use when seeing younger patients.
Coverage by Political Leaning
See how different sides of the spectrum reported this story
Key People
No people linked to this story
Locations
All Coverage
The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges says doctors should routinely check on screen time and social media use when seeing younger patients.
The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges warns that social media poses risks to children comparable to smoking, urging government action to protect young people from online harms.
Health experts liken the dangers of social media use by under-16s to smoking, as the UK government considers implementing a ban on social media for this age group.
Senior British doctors warn that social media poses risks to children comparable to smoking, urging lawmakers to address the harm caused by excessive screen time.
Leading doctors warn that social media poses a threat to young people comparable to smoking, urging the UK government to consider a ban for under-16s.
British doctors equate the dangers of social media use by children to smoking, calling for stronger government action to protect young people from online harms.
Similar Stories
Related coverage based on topic and tags
BBC Inside Science
How do you research the impacts of social media on young people?
June 18, 2026 at 04:00 PMVapes could lead to health harms in children, doctors warn
A Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health has published a report with concerns vaping is a gateway to smoking
August 20, 2026 at 12:35 AMTech Life
For years, schools have posted photos of their pupils online. But could they be misused?
August 11, 2026 at 07:30 PMMeta hooked children on Facebook and Instagram, court hears
Meta argued social media addiction does not exist, as a trial stemming from a major lawsuit brought by US states got under way.
August 18, 2026 at 10:11 PMHow the Meta trial could change social media for young people
The trial stems from a lawsuit filed in 2023 by 29 US states, in which they claim numerous violations of federal and state privacy laws for children.
August 18, 2026 at 04:24 PMFrance's top court blocks social media ban for under-15s - Reuters
France's top court blocks social media ban for under-15s Reuters
August 14, 2026 at 04:58 PM