News & Media
Here we will share the latest media activity and other news about the Health Professionals for Safer Screens
In the Press
Arabella Skinner, Director of Policy for Health Professionals for Safer Screens, featured in The Times following the Government’s announcement of default overnight social media curfews and restrictions on addictive platform features for 16 and 17-year-olds.
While welcoming the direction of travel, Arabella emphasised that protections which can be easily overridden do not go far enough, calling for stronger, enforceable safeguards to better protect children's health and wellbeing.
Download ArticleHPFSS member Dr Laura Spells in the Daily Telegraph on why gaming deserves the same attention as social media
HPFSS member Dr Laura Spells, a specialist Doctor in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), explains in The Daily Telegraph why gaming deserves the same attention as social media. For many children, online games now function as social networks, while addictive reward systems can contribute to compulsive use, disrupted sleep, poorer mental health, declining…
Download ArticleDr Lauren Bull, NHS Sexual Health Consultant and HPFSS member in the Daily Telegraph
Dr Lauren Bull, NHS Sexual Health Consultant and HPFSS member, has spent years talking to young people about sex, relationships and consent. In a recent Telegraph article examining the impact of online pornography and highly sexualised content, she described a consultation with a teenage girl who did not enjoy sex with her boyfriend because he…
Download ArticleHPFSS was honoured to be in Parliament for this landmark announcement
Health Professionals for Safer Screens was honoured to be in Parliament as the Government announced plans to introduce some of the strongest protections for children online anywhere in the world. It was a significant moment, but above all, it was a reminder of the people who brought us here. For years, bereaved parents have shared…
Download ArticleHPFSS contributes to major AoMRC report on online harms and children
Social media is the new smoking, medical leaders say Children are being continuously exposed to ‘hateful, addictive and grossly distressing content’, warns a study by the medical profession’s biggest voice A report by the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges warns of an epidemic of harm to children “continuously exposed to hateful, addictive and grossly distressing…
Download ArticleUnder 16’s face social media restrictions after government climbdown
Dr Becky Foljambe, a GP who is the founder of Health Professionals for Safer Screens, commented: “Health professionals across the country will be relieved and reassured this morning that the government has finally committed to introducing age restrictions to 16 on harmful social media platforms first and foremost, in addition to other possible measures such…
Download ArticleSmartphone ‘Ban’ in Schools: Progress but still not a clear solution
A new policy shift reported in The Times sees the Government move to make mobile phone restrictions in schools statutory. While this marks an important step forward, Dr Becky Foljambe, warns that without explicitly removing the current “out of sight” approach, the changes risk falling short of meaningful impact.
Download ArticleChild trauma experts back social media ban for under-16s
Dr Becky Foljambe, NHS GP and founder of health professionals for safer screens, said: “Something policymakers must take urgent note of is the almost unanimous agreement from clinicians that our most vulnerable children are the worst impacted by these platforms."
Download ArticleDr Becky Foljambe gave evidence in Parliament alongside Frank Young, CEO of Parentkind Parentkind, who shared research reflecting the views of parents across the UK.
Clinicians are reporting growing concerns about the impact of excessive screen use and exposure to violent or disturbing content on children’s mental health, behaviour, sleep and development.
Download ArticleDr Becky Foljambe, gave evidence to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology Committee as part of Parliament’s inquiry into whether social media should be banned for under-16s.
Drawing on her clinical experience and work with families, Dr Foljambe spoke about the harms health professionals are increasingly seeing linked to children’s exposure to social media and harmful online content.
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Dr Sanjiv Nichani on BBC Breakfast
Following the publication of the UK Government's latest research into children's social media use and wellbeing, HPFSS member and Consultant Paediatrician Dr Sanjiv Nichani appeared on BBC Breakfast to discuss what the findings mean for children's health. The Government's research found that many children reported feeling happier, calmer, and less stressed after completely removing their…
Dr Sanjiv Nichani on Good Morning Britain on ITV
There should be no intentional screen time for children under two years.” Health Professionals for Safer Screens member Dr Sanjiv Nichani was delighted to be interviewed on Good Morning Britain on ITV to reiterate the very clear clinical evidence around screen use in the earliest years of life. As Dr Nichani explains, around 80% of…
Dr Becky Foljambe on BBC Radio Sheffield
“What is the real day-to-day benefit of this ban?” Speaking on BBC Radio Sheffield Breakfast with Ellie Colton, Dr Becky Foljambe explained that the immediate benefit is a reset. For years, harms that would never be tolerated offline have become normalised online. This announcement sends a clear signal that children’s wellbeing matters and that these…
Dr Emily Sehmer on BBC Radio 5
“We cannot expect children to regulate their own use.” Dr Emily Sehmer’s comments on BBC Radio 5 Live this week get to the heart of the issue. Children are being asked to manage products designed by some of the world’s most powerful technology companies to capture and hold their attention. Features such as infinite scroll,…
Dr Emily Sehmer on BBC Breakfast
On BBC Breakfast, HPFSS founding member and consultant child psychiatrist Dr Emily Sehmer welcomed the Government’s new consultation on guidance for parents of children aged 5–16, covering everything from social media and smartphones to wider digital habits. For years, health professionals, educators and bereaved families have been calling for clear, evidence-based guidance to help parents…
Professor Matthew Sadlier on RTÉ Radio
Professor Sadlier highlighted a reported 600% increase in hospital admissions for eating disorders among adolescent girls in England, alongside significant rises in self-harm and anxiety among young people.
The Government has now committed to raising the age to 16 for harmful social media features.
Together, we did it. After sustained pressure from the Raise the Age campaign and repeated votes in the House of Lords, the Government has now committed to raising the age to 16 for harmful social media features. Alongside this, smartphones are now out of schools with guidance placed on a statutory footing, giving it the…
RAISE THE AGE WIN – a significant and hard-won moment
After sustained pressure from the Raise the Age campaign and repeated votes in the House of Lords, the Government has now committed to raising the age to 16 for harmful social media features. Alongside this, smartphones are now out of schools with guidance placed on a statutory footing, giving it the full force of law.
‘Either you stand with children or big tech’. Bereaved UK parents travel to Washington
As health professionals, we are increasingly witnessing the impact of digital environments on children’s health and wellbeing. The evidence is building, the experiences are being shared, and the consequences are becoming harder to ignore. Please take a moment to write to your MP, it takes seconds and the link is in our bio. Whatever political…
Bereaved UK parents travelled to the US, where Big Tech is on trial.
We heard sickening whistleblower evidence exposing what the platforms know, and what they are failing to do about it. Meanwhile in the UK the government drags its feet. Children continue to be exposed every day to grooming, exploitation and other online harms. According to Meta’s own documents, 500,000 children face these harms every day on…
