Displaying items by tag: Chris Whitty

England’s chief medical officer, Sir Chris Whitty, will examine whether under-16s should be banned from social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Ministers are commissioning his advice amid growing concerns over the impact of excessive smartphone use on young people’s mental health. The average British 12- to 15-year-old spends around 35 hours a week on a smartphone, raising alarms about sleep, well-being, and educational outcomes. Campaigners argue that tech companies prioritise profits over child safety, while some MPs claim the Government is moving too slowly on protections. A proposed bill sought to raise the digital age of consent to 16, making it harder for social media sites to collect children’s data. However, the Government is expected to take a softer approach, commissioning a review rather than implementing an outright ban. With Australia having already passed a ban on under-16s using social media, pressure is mounting for the UK to act. Ministers remain cautious, balancing child safety with concerns about stifling tech growth.