Health Secretary Wes Streeting has demanded decisive action to address the use of social media by children under the age of 16, adding his voice to a growing chorus calling for stricter controls or an outright ban.
Growing Pressure for Government Intervention
In an interview with Sky News on 15 January 2026, Mr Streeting expressed serious concern about the impact platforms like X and Instagram have on young people's health. He argued that this technology had been "unleashed without anyone understanding the consequences" for children's wellbeing.
His intervention follows a major call from the NASUWT teachers' union just days earlier, which urged the government to force tech giants to block under-16s from their platforms. The union cited evidence linking unregulated social media use to poorer behaviour in schools, damaged mental health, and exposure to violent and explicit content.
A Global Trend and Internal Government Debate
The push for regulation is gaining international momentum. Australia implemented a ban for under-16s in December, setting a precedent other nations are now considering. Within the UK government, Technology Secretary Liz Kendall is reportedly examining potential restrictions, with officials keen to reach a decision within months rather than years.
While stopping short of explicitly endorsing a full ban in his interview, Streeting was clear on the need for action. "I am certainly in favour of action in this area," he stated, acknowledging there were counter-arguments about the positive connections social media can foster. He praised Prime Minister Keir Starmer for encouraging open debate on the issue, noting Starmer's personal interest as a father.
The Anxious Generation and the Health Impact
The Health Secretary's concerns are bolstered by influential voices like bestselling author Jonathan Haidt, whom Streeting has invited to advise officials. Haidt's book, The Anxious Generation, argues that smartphones and social media have fuelled a mental health crisis among the young.
Detailing his worries, Streeting highlighted multiple areas of harm: the effect of endless scrolling on brain development, the extension of school bullying into the home via screens, and serious issues around body image, grooming, and unrealistic expectations.
With pressure mounting from educators, health experts, and international policy moves, the UK government now faces a critical decision on how to protect children in the digital age, balancing potential benefits of online connectivity against proven risks to health and education.
