A leading women's health expert has issued a stark warning that proposed government restrictions on social media access for teenagers could have serious unintended consequences for health education.
Vital Information at Risk
Dame Professor Lesley Regan, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Imperial College London, has expressed deep concern that banning under-16s from platforms like TikTok and Instagram could prevent young people from accessing essential health information. She fears this could leave a generation in the dark about fundamental bodily processes, particularly menstruation.
Real-World Consequences
Speaking to the Women and Equalities Committee of MPs, Dame Lesley shared disturbing anecdotes that highlight the current knowledge gaps among young people. "There's always a little girl that tells me the same story... about a 'best friend' who woke up and thought she had died and gone to hell when there was blood all over the bed," she revealed.
"I just think we can't live in a society where 10 and 11-year-olds have that sort of fear," she continued. "If we ban social media for under-16s, we're going to have to find additional ways, or alternative ways of communicating what they need to know."
The Power of Visual Learning
Dame Lesley emphasised the particular effectiveness of social media formats for health education, noting that many people, especially young audiences, absorb information more effectively through visual formats.
"When I see an infographic, I immediately remember it, as opposed to, if I read a paragraph, I might not remember what the percentages are, but infographics are very, very powerful," she explained.
Implementation Challenges
The expert also raised practical concerns about enforcing any potential ban, suggesting that regardless of restrictions, there will always be a need for high-quality, evidence-based information presented in accessible formats.
"I still think it's going to be quite difficult to police this ban," she noted. "I think there will always be the need for really high-quality, evidence-based information that is straightforward, that is available in lots of different languages."
Government Consultation Underway
Dame Lesley's comments come as the government launches a consultation on introducing an Australian-style social media ban for under-16s in the UK. The Department of Science, Innovation and Technology states the consultation will "seek views from parents, young people and civil society" to determine the effectiveness of such measures.
Broader Safety Measures
The proposed restrictions form part of a broader package of measures intended to "protect young people's wellbeing." This includes examining whether social media companies could implement more robust age verification systems and potentially remove features that encourage compulsive platform use.
Additionally, Ofsted is preparing to issue tougher guidance to schools regarding mobile phone usage, including recommendations that staff avoid personal device use in front of pupils.
Support and Opposition
The proposed ban has garnered significant support from various quarters, including more than 60 Labour MPs and Esther Ghey, mother of murdered teenager Brianna Ghey, whose killers used social media to plan their attack.
"Some argue that vulnerable children need access to social media to find their community – as the parent of an extremely vulnerable and trans child, I strongly disagree," Ms Ghey stated. "In Brianna's case, social media limited her ability to engage in real-world social interactions."
Inclusive Education Approach
Dame Lesley also highlighted the importance of inclusive health education through her work with the charity Wellbeing of Women, which she chairs. The organisation insists that boys must participate in menstrual education sessions when they visit schools.
"Sometimes in the past, what's happened is that the headmistress has said: 'Oh, we don't have boys inside,'" she recounted. "The response from Wellbeing of Women is: 'Well, if you don't bring the boys along to the session at the end, then we ain't coming.'"
She added that young men consistently report finding this education valuable, with many expressing appreciation for learning how to support female family members.
The debate continues as policymakers balance online safety concerns against the educational benefits that social media platforms can provide to young people seeking health information.
