Governments in over ten countries worldwide are working to limit minors' access to social media platforms, including France, New Zealand, Norway, Malaysia, Slovenia, Spain, and the United Kingdom. In a pioneering move, Australia became the first country in the world to impose a ban on social media users under the age of 16 by late 2025, while Indonesia also enforced age restrictions last March.
The aim of these legislations is to protect youth, which makes sense considering that the time children spend in front of screens, often excessive, can lead to conflicts within families. According to a study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in 2025, half of all 15-year-olds in OECD countries spent at least 30 hours a week on digital devices.
Event Details
Despite these efforts, the question remains: Are age restrictions the optimal solution to combat the negative influences of social media? Psychologist and neuroscientist Christian Montag believes that the discussion surrounding this topic overlooks key points. He noted that moral panic often follows the emergence of new technologies, adding that politicians may raise their voices easily without taking effective steps.
On her part, educational researcher Nina Kulik argues that the debate over age restrictions is not straightforward, as Australia has shown that enforcing these restrictions is not simple. However, she emphasized that the core problem with social media has not been resolved; rather, the minimum age has only been raised slightly.
Background & Context
The issues associated with social media manifest in addictive algorithms, such as constant notifications and endless scrolling, designed to keep users on the platform for as long as possible. When users enter these platforms, they may encounter violent or sexual content, increasing the risks.
While digital media provides children and youth with opportunities to learn, play, and communicate, the OECD study indicates that excessive use can lead to negative consequences, such as physical issues like insomnia and lack of movement, along with problems like cyberbullying, social isolation, and depression.
Impact & Consequences
Montag states that it is difficult to isolate the subtle effects of social media, as other factors like environment and genetics also play a role. However, the relationship between excessive or addictive smartphone use and poor academic performance is well documented, as is the feeling of body dissatisfaction among social media users.
Montag emphasizes that children and adolescents are the most susceptible to the negative effects of social media, as the human brain requires a long time to develop. It is estimated that the frontal cortex does not fully mature until a person reaches 20 years old or even into their mid-twenties.
Regional Significance
Concerns are growing in the Arab region regarding the impact of social media on youth, highlighting the need for effective strategies to protect children from potential dangers. Age restrictions could be part of the solution, but there must also be greater efforts to educate the community about safe use of these platforms.
In conclusion, pressure should be directed towards the platforms themselves, which need to be regulated more strictly. It is crucial to consider alternative models for social media, possibly subscription-based rather than data-driven, which could reduce addiction and make these platforms less appealing.