Health Secretary Wes Streeting compares social media to tobacco, as campaigners and political pressure build for a ban on social media use for under-16s. Multiple outlets report that the comparison is being made in the context of a government consultation on the proposal. The consultation period is scheduled to end at the close of Tuesday, according to the outlets.
The reports indicate that debate around the age limit is continuing, with advocates arguing for stronger protections for children and young people. They also note that the government’s formal consultation process is the immediate focus before any further policy decisions are made.
While the sources highlight Streeting’s tobacco analogy, they also point to the consultation timetable as the key near-term development. The outcome of the consultation is not reported in the provided excerpts, but the end date is consistent across the coverage. The story remains focused on whether new restrictions could be introduced for minors once the consultation concludes.
