Wes Streeting says social media firms should be treated like tobacco industry as he piles pressure on Keir Starmer to introduce a ban for under-16s

By GREG HEFFER, POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT Published: 08:22, 26 May 2026 | Updated: 08:25, 26 May 2026 Wes Streeting has demanded social media firms be treated like tobacco companies as he piles pressure on Keir Starmer to ban 'addictive' sites for under-16s. The former health secretary, who quit his Cabinet role earlier this month, urged action in order to 'give our children their childhood back'. The Government is currently consulting on how to protect children online, with potential measures including an Australian-style social media ban for under-16s, limits on addictive features and stronger controls on AI chatbots. The consultation closes at the end of Tuesday and pressure is growing on the Prime Minister to opt for a full ban. Mr Streeting is among those Labour MPs calling for Sir Keir to resign and is set to stand in any leadership contest to replace the PM. Angela Rayner, the former deputy PM who is also touted as a likely leadership contender, has also urged Sir Keir to introduce a social media ban for under-16s. Meanwhile, medical leaders have joined Mr Streeting in comparing the dangers of social media to smoking. Wes Streeting has demanded social media firms be treated like tobacco companies as he piles pressure on Keir Starmer to ban 'addictive' sites for under-16s Mr Streeting is among those Labour MPs calling for Sir Keir to resign and is set to stand in any leadership contest to replace the PM Mr Streeting told The Guardian: 'Social media should be treated like tobacco. 'It's extremely addictive, bad for our health, and Big Tech is borrowing the Big Tobacco playbook to avoid regulation. 'We've got to give our children their childhood back. A ban for under-16s must be the start, not the end. 'We have given the pen to tech moguls to write our future for us. It's time to take the pen back.' A report by the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges submitted to the Government consultation said social media and smartphone use 'ranks alongside smoking and wearing seatbelts in cars as a unifying force for the medical profession'. Doctors are seeing a 'wave of radicalised children' from exposure to 'hateful, addictive and grossly distressing content', the report said. Of the 454 doctors surveyed by the academy of 22 member royal colleges, half said they treated at least one child a week whose mental distress or physical injury was linked to online content. The report included harrowing stories of deaths and injuries from 'replicating acts of extreme pornography' and interests in violence or radicalisation. Families who have lost relatives to harm linked to online platforms are set to meet Sir Keir on Tuesday and urge him to honour the Government's promise to impose social media restrictions on under-16s. There have been widespread calls for the UK to follow Australia's lead on a prohibition, although there have been questions about how effective it has been. Ministers announced in April they would introduce 'age or functionality restrictions' on social media for under-16s regardless of the consultation outcome, with proposals to be unveiled by the summer and plans to legislate before the end of the year. Anna Turley, the Labour Party chair, told Times Radio that 'nothing is off the table' as the Government considers what action to take. She said: 'We've taken our time with this consultation to make sure that we listen to absolutely everybody to make sure we get the right outcome for the future of our children in this country. 'I'm delighted the PM is going to be meeting some families who've been affected by some of the really traumatic and terrible incidents that have occurred, who've been campaigning about social media and the impact on children today in No10. 'And I'll be there myself to listen to them, to hear their views. And I know the PM takes this extremely seriously. And nothing is off the table.' No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.