Senior British doctors say social media poses health risks for children that are comparable to smoking.
The warning comes from the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, which submitted evidence to a UK government consultation on child online safety.
The consultation closes on Tuesday.
The medical body said there is strong agreement among clinicians on the harm caused by excessive screen time.
“It ranks alongside smoking and wearing seatbelts in cars as a unifying force for the medical profession,” it said.
The group represents 23 royal medical colleges and faculties across the UK and Ireland.
A survey cited by the body found that more than half of 132 doctors had seen at least one case of tech-related harm in children every week.
Over a third reported seeing such cases multiple times a week.
Doctors reported both physical and mental health impacts linked to online exposure.
These included injuries from imitation of extreme online content and trauma from violent material.
The UK is reviewing options to restrict children’s access to social media.
Proposals include a possible ban for under-16s, app curfews and limits on addictive platform features.
Australia has already introduced a ban on social media use for children under 16.
Some European countries are also considering similar restrictions.
The UK’s Online Safety Act already requires platforms to protect children from harmful content.
However, the government says further measures may still be needed.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said action is certain.
“The question isn’t whether we are going to act; we will,” she told BBC News.
Some experts support stricter controls, while others question whether full bans would be effective.
Young people in London have also expressed opposition to restrictions, according to reports.
