Social media addiction should be considered a disease, suggest MPs
A report from MPs warns kids glued to Facebook, Instagram and YouTube are more than twice as likely to suffer from mental health issues
SOCIAL media addiction should be considered a medical disorder, suggest MPs.
A report warns kids glued to Facebook, Instagram and YouTube are more than twice as likely to suffer from mental health issues.
They want officials to investigate if the issue should be classed as a disease by the World Health Organization.
They also want web giants to be taxed on profits to fund research into wellbeing and internet use.
Molly Russell, 14, died after viewing distressing material on Instagram.
An all-party parliamentary group (APPG) said more must be done to tackle graphic content.
It said youngsters should be given more advice about time spent online.
And ministers should pass new laws protecting under-24s that can be enforced by Ofcom.
The APPG’s Chris Elmore said: "For too long social media firms have been allowed to operate in an online Wild West. We need meaningful action.”
Barnardo’s says kids who spend no time on social media have a 12 per cent risk of mental health symptoms.
That rises to 27 per cent for those online for three or more hours a day.
The Royal Society for Public Health, and the Royal College of Psychiatrists called for a duty of care for social media firms, and an external regulator.
A Government spokeswoman such measures would be considered and a White Paper is due shortly.
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