British doctors are sounding an alarm that should also give parents in Romania something to think about: social networks have become a danger for children comparable to smoking. While more and more European states are discussing tough restrictions for minors’ access to online platforms, experts warn that the effects are already being seen in medical offices.
The Academy of Royal Colleges of Medicine in the United Kingdom claims that uncontrolled exposure to social networks and digital devices is seriously affecting the physical and mental health of children and adolescents.
“Few topics have so strongly united doctors in recent years as the impact that unrestricted exposure to technology has on the health of children and young people”reported the representatives of the medical institution, quoted by Reuters.
According to a survey of British doctors, more than half of specialists say they see children every week with problems caused by excessive time spent online. Moreover, a third of the doctors state that these cases occur several times a week.
The effects are not just limited to phone addiction or lack of sleep. Doctors talk about anxiety, depression, trauma caused by violent images on the Internet, and even physical injuries caused by imitating dangerous behaviors seen online.
In this context, the British government is considering drastic measures to protect minors. The authorities are discussing including banning social networks for children under 16, limiting the time spent on apps, stopping autoplay and infinite scroll functions or introducing strict age checks.
UK Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said the measures would be introduced regardless of opposition from big tech companies.
“The question is not whether we will act, but how we will act,” he said this to the BBC.
The subject is becoming increasingly important for Romania as well, where children spend hours a day on TikTok, Instagram or Discord, often without supervision and without real protective filters. Psychologists have warned for years that constant exposure to violent, sexualized or manipulative content can affect minors’ emotional development, ability to concentrate and social relationships.
While other European states are already discussing bans and severe restrictions, in Romania the debate regarding the protection of children in the online environment remains almost non-existent, although the effects are increasingly visible in schools and in families.
