A Better Approach: Providing Alternatives to Banning Kids from Online Spaces

The idea of banning children under 16 from social media may seem appealing to overwhelmed parents, but evidence suggests that it will not have a positive impact on youth mental health. In fact, it may make children more vulnerable online. Online spaces provide an avenue for children to socialize with their peers, which is crucial for their well-being. Banning social media will force children into lower-quality online environments and make it more difficult for them to seek help if they encounter negative experiences. Instead of a ban, we need to take collective responsibility for our children’s online safety. This requires cooperation between governments, industry, the community sector, parents, caregivers, educators, researchers, and children themselves. Safety-by-design principles, such as giving minors privacy by default and using AI to detect bad actors, can help create safer online environments. Children also want transparency about data collection and age-appropriate content. Education that focuses on managing everyday online risks is important, as well as investing in child-centered research to inform policy and practice. We need to work together to create optimal digital environments for children, rather than focusing solely on protection.