Medical leaders liken social media to tobacco as pressure grows for under-16s ban

Contributing sentiments towards policy:

50% : In his first intervention on the issue since he quit Government earlier this month, Mr Streeting said: "Social media should be treated like tobacco - it's extremely addictive, bad for our health, and Big Tech is borrowing the Big Tobacco playbook to avoid regulation.
45% : In a joint statement, 25 organisations called for a ban on targeted advertising and manipulative design features; a ban on personalised services for under 13s and default safety protections for under-16s with penalties for firms that fall short; stronger regulation of AI systems including child-focused risk assessments; and the creation of an independent online safety commissioner.

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