The use of social media should be considered harmful to children in the same way smoking is, the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges (AoMRC) in the UK warned, calling on lawmakers to take action against the harm caused to young people by prolonged exposure to screens.

The AoMRC, the coordinating body representing Britain’s medical colleges and faculties, presented the effects social media has on children as part of the UK government’s ongoing public consultation aimed at improving online safety for minors.

“It belongs in the same category as smoking and wearing seatbelts in cars,” the AoMRC noted when referring to issues doctors broadly consider major risks to public health.

“Few issues in recent years have united doctors as strongly as the impact unrestricted exposure to technology and devices is currently having on the health of children and young people,” the organization added.

More than half of the 132 doctors surveyed said they encounter at least one case of physical or psychological harm linked to technology and electronic devices every week, while more than one-third said they see such incidents several times a week.

These harms range from physical injuries caused by the imitation of acts seen in extreme pornographic content to mental health consequences, including psychological trauma experienced by children and young people exposed to violent scenes online.

The UK government has launched a consultation on restricting children’s access to social media, including the possibility of banning children under the age of 16 from using such platforms, as well as introducing time limits on certain apps.

Last year, Australia became the first country in the world to ban social media use for children under 16, while several European countries are now considering similar measures.

The UK’s online safety legislation already requires social media companies to take steps to protect children from illegal or harmful content, though the government has pledged to go further.

“The question is not whether we will act. We will act, whether that means banning social media use for children under 16 or restricting key features and functions of these apps,” Technology Minister Liz Kendall told BBC News.

Source: news247.gr