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Injuries: Social Media

Asked by Max WilkinsonLiberal DemocratDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled Answered 18 March 2025UIN 34016

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if his Department will make an estimate of the cost to the NHS from injuries sustained from following social media trends.

Answered by Karin Smyth

Under the Online Safety Act, providers will need to take steps to protect children from encountering harmful content. This includes providing age-appropriate access to priority content, which includes content encouraging dangerous stunts and challenges. We do not currently hold an estimate of the cost to the National Health Service of injuries sustained from social media trends.

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