Experts call for social media ban for under-16s
A group of Belgian experts and psychiatrists have issued an open letter to the Flemish and federal governments, calling for a clearer and stricter policy on smartphone use among children and adolescents. They also advocate banning social media use until the age of 16.
According to the 17 experts, social media and digital technologies have a significant impact on the mental and physical health of children and adolescents. This includes rising rates of depression, anxiety disorders, obesity, learning disabilities and sleep problems.
They argue that a ban on social media for under-16s is necessary, as young people are better equipped to regulate themselves and engage critically with the digital world after that age.
The minimum age to access most platforms is currently 13, but this is easily circumvented, allowing very young children to join.
Addictive nature
The initiators of Kids Unplugged, a citizens’ movement that aims to unite parents and encourage them not to give smartphones to their children before the age of 14, say many parents report that the addictive nature of social media and games causes frequent arguments at home.
They also feel they lack the freedom to parent effectively on this issue, as smartphones, games and social media have become so widely accepted that restricting or refusing them is almost impossible.
In the letter, the experts call for an urgent revision of official guidance on digital media, smartphone use, and screen time for children and adolescents, taking into account new scientific insights. They also urge stricter European regulation of technology companies, including limitations on what they describe as addictive algorithms and increased liability.
At present, both the Flemish and federal coalition agreements contain little detail on how governments plan to address the use of smartphones and social media among young people. Policy largely focuses on media literacy education in schools, through workshops or television programmes.
However, the experts behind the letter argue that this approach is inadequate given the power and influence of technology companies.
#FlandersNewsService | Illustration shows children making a video on a smartphone © BELGA PHOTO HATIM KAGHAT
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