‘Social media should be treated like tobacco’: Streeting calls for under-16s ban on certain platforms

The Guardian UK Monday 25 May 2026, 19:09 UTC By Kiran Stacey, Dan Milmo, Robert Booth and Denis Campbell 1 min read

Key Points

Wes Streeting has called for social media companies to be regulated like the tobacco industry, advocating for a ban on under-16s accessing certain platforms. He stated that such a ban is necessary because large technology companies are currently evading regulations. This intervention comes as the government concludes its consultation on age limits for social media.

Former health secretary’s intervention comes as government closes consultation on age limits for social media platforms

Social media companies should be treated like the tobacco industry, Wes Streeting has argued, as he called for a ban on under-16s accessing certain platforms.

Speaking publicly about the prospect of a ban for the first time since he left government, the former health secretary said one was needed because large technology companies were trying to dodge regulations.

Originally published by The Guardian UK Read original →

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‘Social media should be treated like tobacco’: Streeting calls for under-16s ban on certain platforms

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