Read the text below.
UK Health and Social Care Secretary Jeremy Hunt has called out tech companies for ignoring the negative effects of social media on children.
Hunt sent a letter to companies like Google, Instagram, and Facebook to emphasize the importance of addressing issues like cyberbullying and excessive and underage Internet use. Although most social networking sites have an age limit of 13, children below this limit still get away with creating social media accounts.
Currently, Google and Instagram have measures to control social media use among children. Google launched the Family Link app, which lets parents regulate the online activity of children under 13. Likewise, Instagram has Tips for Parents on its Help Center. These tips brief guardians on how to navigate the app and control privacy settings.
However, Hunt remains doubtful about the effectiveness of these measures. He warns that the UK government will intervene by implementing new rules if the issues involving children are not addressed.
A survey conducted by the Royal Society for Public Health revealed that 36% of the public are seeking government-enforced laws on social media use.
Such laws may be necessary as some studies revealed that children in the United Kingdom are spending too much time on the Internet. They spend an average of 20 hours weekly online, which can make them susceptible to mental health issues related to Internet use. For instance, a research showed that self-harm has become rampant among female teenagers because they see videos about it on social media.