The Dutch government has recommended that parents prohibit children under 15 from using social media applications like TikTok and Snapchat, becoming the latest nation to propose restrictions due to mental health concerns.
This advice, which is advisory in nature, follows similar proposals from Australia and New Zealand to ban social media for those under 16, with various European countries issuing comparable guidelines.
“Extensive screen and social media usage can negatively impact the (mental) health and development of children,” stated the Dutch Ministry for Health, Wellbeing, and Sport.
“Consider issues like sleep disturbances, panic attacks, depressive symptoms, decreased concentration, and a poor self-image,” it added.
The Dutch government advised that children younger than the final year of primary school (generally 11 or 12) should not be given a smartphone.
For secondary school students (ages 12 or 13), messaging apps should be allowed, but social media apps should be restricted until they are 15, according to the guidelines.
More countries support the EU proposal.
“A gradual approach is beneficial: first, learn to communicate via chat, then become familiar with social media,” it explained.
The ministry also presented recommendations regarding screen time: no screen exposure at all for children under the age of two, while those over 12 should limit screen time to a maximum of three hours daily.
Healthy screen usage is more than just time limits, the government emphasized.
“It also involves balancing screen time with other activities, using media together, and encouraging positive online experiences.”
The advice aligns the Netherlands with other age-related guidelines across Europe, it noted.
Supported by France and Spain, Greece has led a proposal for how the European Union should regulate children’s use of online platforms.
France, Greece, and Denmark advocate for a ban on social media for those under 15, while Spain has proposed a ban for individuals under 16.
‘Problematic’ social media use is increasing.
In the Netherlands, a children’s advocacy organization highlighted this month that the “unregulated growth” of social media platforms is contributing to an unprecedented global mental health crisis among children and adolescents.
The KidsRights report indicated that what it described as “problematic” social media use is on the rise, citing a direct link between heavy internet use and suicide attempts.
Nonetheless, the group cautioned against blanket bans.
“Such blanket bans could infringe on children’s civil and political rights,” including their access to information, the report stated.
Support and helplines are available.
