Social media is promoting harmful attitudes towards sun exposure | Letter
An awareness campaign isn’t enough.
The UK should ban commercial sunbeds, writes Dr Amy Perkins Rising melanoma rates demand more than another awareness campaign ( Editorial, 7 August ).
As a consultant dermatologist with a special interest in the health impacts of social media, I see how digital platforms are normalising harmful attitudes towards sun exposure, while the sunbed industry thrives.
Social media algorithms reward content that provokes strong reactions.
Extreme tanning routines, dramatic before-and-after images and misleading health claims can therefore travel further than balanced medical advice.
I have previously raised the alarm about irresponsible sunbed advertising, including claims that sunbeds offer a net health benefit.
Such promotion is indefensible: UV radiation from sunbeds is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the World Health Organization’s cancer agency.
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