Is it a good idea to ban children and teenagers from social media?
UNICEF outlines the pros, cons and alternatives to a ban
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This article is the first installment in our family support guide to life online. To view the guide, click here.
Around the world, families, governments and educators are debating what age is 'too young' to use social media. In some countries, such as Australia, age-related access restrictions have already been introduced across all platforms.
Concerns about children's safety and well-being are legitimate and understandable. The risks they face include bullying, exploitation, exposure to harmful content and negative effects on mental health and well-being.
It is normal for mothers, fathers, guardians and educators to feel overwhelmed. But does banning or limiting teenagers' access to social media really work? Does it make sense?
Certainly, age restrictions alone do not guarantee the safety of children and teenagers online.
Why?
Firstly, because social media is not a luxury. For many children, especially those who are isolated or marginalized, it provides access to learning, connection, play and self-expression. Also, despite the existence of bans, many children and teenagers will continue to access social media, whether through workarounds, shared devices, or turning to less regulated platforms. Ultimately, this will just make it harder to protect them.
Age restrictions must be part of a broader approach that protects children from harm, respects their rights to privacy and participation and avoids pushing them into unregulated and less safe spaces.
How can it be done?
Governments, regulatory bodies and companies must work with children and families to create digital environments that are safe, inclusive and respective of children's rights.
The alternatives
- Governments must ensure that age-related laws and regulations do not replace companies' obligations to invest in safer platform design and effective content moderation, and they must require companies to take responsibility for this. Regulators must have systemic measures in place to effectively prevent and mitigate the harm children suffer online.
- Social media and technology companies must redesign their products with a focus on children's safety and well-being. This includes investing in safer platform design and effective moderation, and developing age verification tools that respect rights and offer differentiated experiences to younger users through safer, age-appropriate environments.
- When designing platforms and associated safety mechanisms, civil society and partners must listen to the voices and lived experiences of children. Young people, parents and guardians must participate in these debates about age limits on social media. We must listen to the people whose well-being, safety and rights are impacted daily by these measures, and we must take their recommendations into account.
- Mothers, fathers and guardians must be supported in improving their digital literacy, because they play a crucial role. Instead, they are currently being asked to do the impossible to protect their children online. They are being asked to monitor platforms they did not design, control algorithms they cannot see and manage dozens of apps around the clock. We must also talk to young people about their own digital consumption habits, preferences and needs.
And in the meantime? What can mothers, fathers and guardians do until then?
Ensuring that legislation, regulation, and technological design reflect the views, needs and rights of children is no easy task, but there are ways you can keep your children or grandchildren safe online in the meantime.
Acordión
Set up parental controls and safe search filters on the devices children and teenagers use and on the digital applications they access. Choose the strictest privacy settings for social media and video games.
Here are some resources to help you do that:
Promote and encourage good online behaviour by teaching your children to be kind and respectful to their classmates and friends and not to spread rumours, mock others or post inappropriate or hurtful comments and images.
Reach an agreement with your child on rules on when and where they can use devices. Encourage use for short periods and let them know how important it is to look after their privacy and safety on social media and to talk to you or other trusted adults if they experience cyberbullying, grooming, sexting or any other uncomfortable online experience.
It is crucial they feel safe talking about their problems with someone they trust in a space where they can be heard without judgement or blame.
Do you want to know more about how to protect children online?
Learn more about how to keep your children or grandchildren safe online with UNICEF Mexico.
You can take this course from UNICEF Uruguay on supporting children and teenagers in using technology at home.
Ask them to express their point of view. UNICEF wants to hear from young people about how they feel when they spend time online. Encourage your children or students to participate in Your Online Life - UNICEF's global survey for teenagers via U-Report.
Listen to the UNICEF Nicaragua podcast, Por la niñez: Safe internet for all.
Learn more about UNICEF's position on social media bans for minors.
