Part of 2. Questions to the Minister for Health and Social Services – in the Senedd at 3:12 pm on 1 December 2021.
Deputy Minister, social media's impacting young people massively, and apps such as Instagram are affecting the way that people view their bodies. For some young people they take inspiration from what they see online, but for many others the reality is that, due to a huge number of factors, including genetics, work-life balance and affordability, they will just not look like people do on social media and the way society expects them to. Subsequently, we've seen a rise in the number of people treated for anorexia and bulimia, and it's almost doubled in the last five years. Here in Wales, we don't have waiting time targets for those suffering with eating disorders or specialist centres to help people, and that cannot continue. So, what is the Welsh Government doing to ensure that young people are educated about the effects of social media? And what plans does the Government have to improve access for people suffering with eating disorders?