Overview
- The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges wrote to ministers after clinician testimony from NHS services and commissioned a three‑month review with evidence‑gathering sessions.
- Ministers are expected to consult this week on measures for under‑16s, with reported options including a full ban, night‑time limits, streaming curbs and tighter algorithm oversight.
- Peers are due to vote this week on a cross‑party amendment proposing an Australia‑style prohibition on social media accounts for under‑16s.
- Doctors describe harms seen in clinics, including dangerous sexual behaviours linked to online pornography and reports that many 13‑ and 14‑year‑olds have viewed graphic violence.
- Child‑protection groups including the NSPCC and the Molly Rose Foundation warn a blanket ban could have unintended consequences and call for safer‑by‑design rules and stronger enforcement.