Parents told to put children on a social media diet

YOUNGSTERS should not be allowed to ‘gorge’ on social media, it was claimed yesterday.

Parents were warned to take the issue as seriously as they would junk food. The message came at the launch of Digital 5 a Day, a campaign to help families regulate internet use.

Anne Longfield, Children’s Commissioner for England, said the internet and social media could be positive for youngsters, but added: ‘Many children are using them like sweets or junk food. Parents wouldn’t let their kids eat a double cheeseburger and fries every day, so they shouldn’t let them spend time online in an unhealthy way.

‘They have a responsibility as providers of the smart phones, computers and iPads their children use, to step in and make sure their children’s online lives are healthy.’

Internet use is at record highs

‘Using the internet like junk food’

among children and overtook television as their top media pastime last year. Children aged five to 15 are spending 15 hours a week online, according to the watchdog Ofcom.

Mrs Longfield told the Observer: ‘When phones, social media and games make us worried, stressed and out of control, it means we haven’t got the balance right.

‘With your diet, you know that, because you don’t feel that good. It’s the same with social media.’

She said children needed to be helped to understand that sites encourage them to click on another game or video based on what they just played.

Mrs Longfield she was pressuring Facebook to make it easier for children to switch off certain features. She added: ‘I want Facebook and all other social media companies to be as proactive as they can about creating a good place and a safe place for kids to be.

‘We hear that children often feel pressured by the constantly connected nature of the internet.

‘It can be difficult for them to put their phones down when apps are encouraging them to engage.’