What if, in twenty years’ time, we look back on social media the same way we now look at cigarettes?
It sounds dramatic. But that’s exactly the comparison made by Lord Bethell—former Health Minister and one of the UK’s leading voices on preventative health—when he joined us on The Midlife Mentors podcast.
As governments around the world consider banning social media for under-16s, the debate has become far bigger than screen time. It’s now about children’s mental health, brain development, online safety, AI, and ultimately the kind of society we’re creating.
Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, employer or simply someone who’s ever found themselves doomscrolling at midnight, this conversation matters.
Here’s what we took away.
Why the UK Is Considering a Social Media Ban for Under-16s
Lord Bethell has spent years pushing for stronger online protections for children. His previous work on age verification for pornography proved something many technology companies insisted was impossible.
Age verification works.
For years, the argument was that companies couldn’t accurately identify users’ ages online. Yet once legislation required it, the technology suddenly became available.
The lesson?
The barriers weren’t technical—they were commercial.
According to Lord Bethell, once age verification significantly reduced children’s exposure to online pornography, it opened the door to a much bigger conversation.
If we can protect children from harmful adult content…
Why not protect them from harmful social media algorithms too?
The Bigger Problem Isn’t Pornography—It’s Addiction
One of the biggest misconceptions is that young people actively seek out harmful online content.
The reality is often very different.
Lord Bethell explained that much of the inappropriate content children encounter is pushed towards them through algorithms, predators, bullying and grooming—not because they’re searching for it.
But beyond explicit content lies an even greater concern.
The platforms themselves.
Many young people spend six, seven or even eight hours every day on social media.
Not because they’re enjoying it.
Because they struggle to stop.
Children’s Brains Aren’t Built for the Algorithms
Adults struggle to put their phones down.
Now imagine being thirteen.
The prefrontal cortex—the part of the brain responsible for judgement, impulse control and long-term thinking—is still developing throughout adolescence.
Social media companies know this.
Their platforms are engineered to maximise attention.
Every notification…
Every infinite scroll…
Every personalised recommendation…
Every dopamine hit…
is designed to keep users engaged for just a little bit longer.
As Lord Bethell put it, these are “empty calories” for the brain. They rarely leave us feeling happier, calmer or more fulfilled—just ready for the next hit.
Social Pressure Never Switches Off
School bullying used to end when the final bell rang.
Today it follows children home.
Embarrassing videos.
Group chats.
Likes.
Followers.
Appearance.
Popularity.
Holiday photos.
Status.
The pressure is relentless.
One cruel moment can now be amplified across an entire school—or even the world—in seconds.
It’s no wonder anxiety amongst young people continues to rise.
Could AI Become Even More Addictive?
One of the most fascinating parts of our discussion moved beyond social media.
Into AI.
Lord Bethell warned that AI companions could become even more engaging than today’s social platforms.
Imagine creating a digital friend who:
- Always agrees with you.
- Never argues.
- Never criticises.
- Always flatters you.
- Is available 24 hours a day.
Sounds comforting.
Until that virtual relationship starts replacing real human connection.
Already we’re seeing AI companions marketed as friends, therapists and even romantic partners.
While these technologies may have valuable therapeutic uses in carefully controlled settings, there are understandable concerns about what happens when commercial incentives reward keeping people emotionally attached for as long as possible.
Technology Isn’t the Enemy
One of the most balanced parts of the conversation was acknowledging that technology itself isn’t inherently bad.
In fact, AI is already helping people.
Lord Bethell shared examples of highly trained AI systems supporting suicide prevention services, particularly for men who find it difficult to speak openly over the phone.
Some people feel safer typing than talking.
That’s a genuine opportunity.
Likewise, AI can improve healthcare, education, productivity and accessibility.
The issue isn’t technology.
It’s incentives.
When technology is designed primarily to maximise engagement rather than improve wellbeing, problems begin to emerge.
Are We Sacrificing Creativity?
Claire shared one of her own experiences during the episode.
She spent nine days completely offline.
No phone.
No laptop.
No social media.
Just books, nature and a journal.
The difference was profound.
Her nervous system calmed.
Creativity returned.
Thoughts became clearer.
Ideas connected.
She felt more grateful.
More present.
More herself.
It’s a reminder that silence isn’t empty.
It’s often where our best thinking happens.
What Can Adults Learn From This?
Although the legislation focuses on children, perhaps adults should be asking themselves the same questions.
How often do we reach for our phone without thinking?
How much time disappears into endless scrolling?
How often do we replace boredom—which often leads to creativity—with constant stimulation?
Most of us wouldn’t describe ourselves as addicted.
Yet many of us instinctively check our phones dozens, if not hundreds, of times a day.
The line between habit and dependency can become surprisingly blurred.
The New Smoking?
Lord Bethell finished with a comparison that’s difficult to forget.
He believes we’ll eventually look back on today’s doomscrolling culture in much the same way we now view smoking.
Once, cigarettes were normal.
Expected.
Even glamorous.
Now we struggle to imagine lighting one up in a restaurant or on a plane.
Could endless scrolling one day feel equally outdated?
Time will tell.
But if history teaches us anything, it’s that behaviours we normalise today often look very different through tomorrow’s lens.
Final Thoughts
Whether or not legislation banning social media for under-16s becomes law, one thing feels increasingly clear.
Technology is shaping us far more than most of us realise.
The challenge isn’t rejecting it.
It’s learning to use it deliberately rather than allowing it to use us.
Perhaps the most powerful question isn’t whether children should spend less time online.
It’s whether all of us should.
Listen to the Full Episode
In this episode of The Midlife Mentors, we sit down with Lord Bethell to explore the future of social media regulation, AI, online safety, children’s mental health, and what digital wellbeing really means in modern life.
If you’ve ever wondered where technology is taking us—and how to stay in control—this is an episode you won’t want to miss.
https://themidlifementors.com/podcast-2/
Apple
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Spotify
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