Written by Jack Thorne, one of the UK’s most respected writers on childhood, vulnerability and social systems, the series has been widely praised for its unflinching portrayal of young lives shaped by neglect, isolation and digital saturation.
For health professionals, this response comes as no surprise.

The character, Jamie Miller is very representative of the young male patients and their families that our health professionals care for every day. It is a race to the bottom for our most vulnerable children living in the harshest environments where screens are omnipresent and help is often nowhere to be seen.

These young people are hard to reach and when they become completely lost to these devices and effluents of toxic content, often late into the night, it pushes them further and further away from their families and professional support. Boys are particularly vulnerable, as @centreforsocialjustice, and their Lost Boys and Boyhood reports powerfully illustrate.

As health professionals, we are not surprised by the way Adolescence has spoken to national and international concerns. Little surprise from our parents, teachers, police and the children themselves too. Jack Thorne is completely right in what he says, and now it is time for legislation, guidance and interventions to start picking up the pieces.

Today, the House of Lords will vote on a cross-party amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill. It is supported by doctors, teachers, bereaved families, parents and campaign groups. We stand with them. The amendment would ban social media for under-16s.

We hope Parliament votes to protect childhood, for children’s sake.