D66 advocates for social media ban for young people: Protection or patronizing?
It sounds logical - no social media for young people under fifteen, but is it feasible and effective?
Published on December 17, 2024
Merien founded E52 with Bart in 2015. He thought journalism should capitalize on AI, and our AI tool, Laio, was his idea. He likes to get angry about hydrogen and mobility and writes columns about it.
D66 wants to introduce a minimum age of 15 for social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok, due to concerns about their impact on young people's mental health. This proposal raises questions about its effectiveness and necessity. Australia has already approved a similar ban for youth under 16, without exceptions. Scientific research suggests that social media contributes to mental health problems among young people, such as sleep issues and concentration disorders. Is a ban as proposed by D66 feasible, effective, and proportional?
Growing concerns about social media impact
D66 MP Hanneke van der Werf advocates for a legal minimum age of 15 for social media, based on increasing concerns about youth mental health. Scientific research supports these concerns. Studies show that 60% of young people experience negative effects on their well-being, self-confidence, and friendships, while only 5% report predominantly positive effects. Platforms like TikTok have an especially negative impact, with 70% of users reporting adverse effects. The U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy warned about the harmful effects of social media on youth mental health in 2023. Young people between 10 and 15 years appear particularly vulnerable to depressive and anxiety symptoms due to social media use, according to the Netherlands' Trimbos Institute.
Australia as an example
In late November 2024, Australia became the first country to adopt a social media ban for youth under 16. This ban will take effect in November 2025 and applies to platforms like TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Companies violating these rules risk fines up to 50 million Australian dollars (approximately 30 million Euros). Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasizes that this measure aims to give children a normal childhood. The Australian legislation has no exceptions for parental consent, making it the strictest regulation worldwide. Norway and the United Kingdom are considering similar measures.
Scientific foundation
Studies show that excessive social media use can lead to addictive behavior, sleep problems, and decreased academic performance. Yale research indicates that the brains of young people between 10 and 19 undergo a sensitive developmental phase, where frequent social media use may cause lasting changes. A study among teenagers in England showed that social media use exceeding three hours daily predicts mental health problems. Girls appear particularly vulnerable to negative effects. The Trimbos Institute confirms that young people spending more than 2 to 4 hours daily on social media have an increased risk of anxiety and depressive feelings.
Practical challenges
A crucial point in implementing D66's proposal is enforcement. The current age limit of 13 is regularly circumvented by providing false birth dates. D66 therefore advocates for a foolproof age verification system to be developed by tech companies. In Europe, the European Commission is working with EU member states on a reliable and privacy-friendly standard for age verification, the European Digital Identity. This system should enable age verification without sharing additional personal data.
In D66's proposal, WhatsApp is exempt from the age restriction, aligning with research showing that WhatsApp, unlike other platforms, often has a positive influence on young people's mental well-being.
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Manipulation and privacy
An underexposed aspect in the discussion is how social media platforms actively exploit teenage vulnerability. In 2017, it was revealed that Facebook developed algorithms to identify emotionally vulnerable teenagers for advertisers. The platform could identify and target teens feeling 'insecure,' 'worthless,' and 'anxious.' These revelations led to major controversy and investigations into the ethical aspects of such practices. This history of manipulation underscores the need for stricter regulations to protect young users.
Future perspective
D66's proposal fits into a broader international movement to regulate social media's impact on young people. France and Denmark are considering similar measures. Experts emphasize that a ban alone is insufficient. The Trimbos Institute recommends a broader approach that also addresses media literacy and parental support. The effectiveness of the Australian ban, starting in 2025, will provide important insights for other countries.
Scientific research convincingly shows that social media is harmful to young people's mental health. A ban for children under 15 is therefore not patronizing but a necessary protective measure, comparable to existing age restrictions for alcohol and tobacco.