Former UK health secretary Wes Streeting says social media companies should be treated like the tobacco industry and calls for a ban on under-16s accessing certain platforms. Speaking publicly for the first time since leaving government, Streeting argues that such platforms should face stronger controls because large technology firms are trying to avoid regulation. His comments come as the UK government closes a consultation on age limits for social media use, with officials considering whether and how to restrict access for children. Streeting’s proposal is framed as a health and welfare measure aimed at reducing harm to children, and he links it to the need to protect minors’ development and time outside online spaces. While details of which specific platforms would be covered are not stated in the excerpts, Streeting is pressing political leadership—specifically Prime Minister Keir Starmer—to introduce the under-16 restriction as part of a regulatory approach modeled on tobacco controls.