Family doctors in the United Kingdom are urging recognition of the trauma children face from exposure to online self-harm, pornography, and violence. The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) has officially classified these digital harms as a significant public health issue, reflecting the growing concerns among healthcare professionals regarding the impact of the internet on children’s wellbeing.
The RCGP’s position statement, released on January 18, 2026, highlights the increasing number of young patients presenting with mental health issues linked to harmful online content. Family doctors are seeing firsthand how exposure to such material contributes to anxiety, depression, self-harm, and other serious health concerns.
Professor Victoria Tzortziou Brown, chair of the RCGP, emphasized the need for a collaborative approach. “The responsibility for protecting children’s wellbeing must sit with policymakers, regulators, and technology companies, not solely with families or clinicians,” she stated. The RCGP believes that digital harms are a modern determinant of health, necessitating urgent action from all stakeholders involved.
The statement calls for new guidance for parents and enhanced training for healthcare providers to address the growing impact of digital exposure. According to the RCGP, children are developing within digital environments engineered for maximum engagement, often at the expense of their mental health. Vulnerable groups, in particular, face a disproportionate burden of these harms, widening existing health inequalities.
As part of its intervention, the RCGP has drawn attention to the responsibility of technology firms in safeguarding children online. The statement notes that while the internet offers vast resources, it also makes misinformation readily accessible, complicating the challenge for both parents and healthcare providers.
In response to these growing concerns, the Australian government recently implemented a ban on social media accounts for individuals under the age of 16. This move has sparked discussions in the UK, with calls from Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch for similar measures. The government is expected to announce a consultation on potential regulations affecting children’s access to social media in the coming days.
During a recent meeting of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, senior medical professionals voiced their alarm over the negative effects of excessive screen time and harmful online content on children’s physical and mental health. One doctor recounted a harrowing case involving a teenage girl who sustained life-threatening injuries after attempting risky behaviors seen online. Unfortunately, she later died from her injuries, underscoring the urgent need for action.
The RCGP’s position is clear: digital harms must be treated as a public health priority. The organization advocates for evidence-based health information, stressing that patients should be able to trust the resources they encounter online. With a growing reliance on digital platforms for health advice, the RCGP warns that many online sources do not meet the clinical reliability standards necessary for effective healthcare decision-making.
As the conversation around digital safety continues, the RCGP is urging the government, technology companies, and healthcare providers to work together to protect children’s health. The organization believes that addressing digital harms is essential for safeguarding the future of young people and ensuring that the health system remains equipped to handle emerging challenges.
In a rapidly evolving digital landscape, the call for action is clear: protecting the wellbeing of children in the age of technology must be a top priority for society as a whole.
