Family doctors in the UK are urging immediate recognition of the trauma children face from exposure to self-harm, sexual content, and violence online as a significant public health issue. The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) has released a groundbreaking position statement highlighting the detrimental effects of digital harms on children’s health and wellbeing.
The RCGP’s statement, shared exclusively with media outlets, emphasizes that GPs are increasingly encountering children affected by harmful online content. This includes issues related to anxiety, low mood, disordered eating, and even self-harm. The professional body asserts that digital exposure is now a contributory factor in various mental health challenges faced by young people, necessitating a collaborative response from government, technology firms, and healthcare providers.
Urgent Call for Responsibility and Guidance
In its first official stance on the matter, the RCGP calls for a shift in responsibility regarding children’s online safety. It insists that the burden of protecting children’s wellbeing should not rest solely on families but should be shared with policymakers and technology companies. The statement reads, “Digital harms represent a modern determinant of health,” emphasizing the need for a comprehensive approach to safeguard children.
Professor Victoria Tzortziou Brown, chair of the RCGP, elaborated on the growing concerns surrounding digital misinformation. She pointed out that while access to reliable health information has improved, so too has the prevalence of misleading content. This can lead to dangerous consequences, including missed diagnoses and unsafe self-treatment.
The RCGP’s statement comes in the wake of Australia’s recent decision to prohibit social media accounts for individuals under the age of 16. UK political figures, including Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, have called for similar measures in the UK, with a government consultation on potential regulations expected shortly.
Concerning Trends and Real-Life Consequences
The RCGP warns that the cumulative effects of digital harms extend beyond immediate mental health issues. They can impact sleep, neurodevelopment, social relationships, and family dynamics. The organization highlights that children are often navigating digital environments designed to maximize engagement rather than enhance wellbeing, which disproportionately affects vulnerable populations and exacerbates existing health inequalities.
In a recent meeting attended by over 20 senior medical professionals, the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges declared a “public health emergency” regarding the impact of harmful online content. The meeting revealed alarming testimonies from NHS clinicians, including one A&E doctor who recounted a tragic incident involving a teenage girl severely injured due to dangerous practices learned online.
Professor Tzortziou Brown reiterated the pressing need for effective measures. She stated that parental controls have limitations once children gain access to smartphones, and that the risk of exposure to harmful content is ever-present.
She noted, “Whatever safeguards families put in place to keep children safe online, once a young person has access to a smartphone, parental controls can only ever go so far.” The RCGP’s statement emphasizes the importance of addressing health misinformation, highlighting that much of the online health information, including AI-generated content, does not meet necessary standards for clinical reliability.
The Royal College of General Practitioners is calling for a concerted effort to prioritize the health and wellbeing of children in the digital age. By addressing these issues, the organization aims to safeguard children’s futures and ensure that the health system is equipped to support families effectively.
