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Rachel V Thomas

Social Media Bans for Kids Gain Ground Worldwide: Will They Work?

UK <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/uk-pm-keir-starmer-set-to-ban-social-media-for-under-16s-which-apps-could-be-affected-article-154514454" data-type="tilCustomLink">Prime Minister Keir Starmer</a> is preparing to announce a crackdown on children's access to social media within days. A speech from the prime minister, which is expected to include a new policy on social media, is planned for next week.

The UK is the latest country considering restrictions on social media use among those under the age of 16 amid growing concerns about mental health, online abuse, and child protection. 

Several countries have introduced or proposed regulations on children's access to social media as concerns mount over the impact of these platforms on young people's health and safety.  

A look at the countries planning to implement social media ban:

<a href="https://www.healthandme.com/parenting/australia-social-media-ban-explained-why-government-plans-to-restrict-accounts-of-under-16s-article-153364107" data-type="tilCustomLink">Australia</a>: Banned social media for children under 16, including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

China: Uses a "minor mode" system that limits screen time and access based on a child's age.

Denmark: Plans to ban social media for children under 15, with limited parental exceptions for those aged 13–14.

France: Approved a bill to ban social media for children under 15, pending final legislative approval.

Germany: Children aged 13–16 can use social media only with parental consent. 

Greece: Preparing to introduce a social media ban for children under 15.

India: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/parenting/australia-social-media-ban-explained-why-government-plans-to-restrict-accounts-of-under-16s-article-153364107" data-type="tilCustomLink">Karnataka </a> has banned social media for children under 16. Other states like Andhra Pradesh, Goa, and Bihar are considering age restrictions.

Italy: Children under 14 need parental consent to create social media accounts.

Malaysia: Barred users under 16 from registering new social media accounts.

Norway: Proposed raising the minimum age for social media consent from 13 to 15 and introducing a 15-year minimum age limit.

Poland: Drafted legislation to ban social media for children under 15 and require age verification.

Slovenia: Preparing a law that would prohibit social media access for children under 15.

Spain: Plans to ban social media access for minors under 16 and require age verification.

Sweden: A government commission has recommended a minimum social media age of 15.

Turkey: Passed legislation banning social media use by children under 15.

United States: Several states require parental consent for minors, while federal legislation seeks stronger protections for young users.

European Union: Considering stricter child safety rules, including parental consent for under-16s and a ban for children under 13.

<h2>Will A Blanket Ban on Social Media Work? </h2>

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/is-india-set-to-implement-a-social-media-ban-for-children-article-153832504" data-type="tilCustomLink">Is India Set To Implement A Social Media Ban For Children?</a>

Blocking children from social media is no substitute for making platforms safe in the first place, the UN human rights office warned last month. 

"Online harms to children's safety, privacy, and wellbeing result from design choices and business practices that undermine safety, including addictive features such as infinite scroll, autoplay, and persistent notifications," said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk. 

Türk cautioned that such bans can be easily circumvented and risk pushing children towards riskier, less-monitored spaces. 

"Simply limiting access to platforms that remain unsafe cannot stand as the endpoint," he said. 

The UN Office also issued a 10-point framework urging governments and technology companies to go further and faster in protecting children online. The guidelines, titled Getting Children's Safety Online Right, come as age-based social media restrictions proliferate worldwide. It includes:

<ul><li>Embedding child safety measures directly into platform design from the outset. </li></ul><ul><li>Not leaving parents and children solely responsible for managing online risks. </li></ul><ul><li>Conducting mandatory child-rights impact assessments for digital platforms. </li></ul><ul><li>Implementing tightly regulated age-verification systems to protect privacy. </li></ul><ul><li>Consulting children meaningfully when developing online safety regulations and policies. </li></ul>

Read More: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/mayim-bialik-says-just-one-glp-1-injection-triggered-nightmare-side-effects-article-154512597" data-type="tilCustomLink">Mayim Bialik Says Just One GLP-1 Shot Triggered ‘Nightmare’ Side Effects</a>

"The intent to protect young minds from addiction, misinformation, and harmful content is welcome. However, effectiveness will depend less on restricting children and more on regulating platforms," Dr. Rajendra Pratap Gupta, Chairman of Health Parliament, creator of SHE App, and former adviser to the Union Health Minister, told HealthandMe.

"Stronger platform accountability, age-appropriate design, and algorithmic responsibility are crucial. Combined with digital literacy and parental awareness, oversight and control, such measures can create a healthier digital ecosystem. Without platform control, regulations risk remaining largely symbolic," Dr. Gupta said.

With inputs from Reuters

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UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is preparing to announce a crackdown on children's access to social media within days. A speech from the prime minister, which is expected to include a new policy on social media, is planned for next week. The UK is the latest country considering restrictions on social media use among those under the age of 16 amid growing concerns about mental health, online abuse, and child protection. Several countries have introduced or proposed regulations on children's access to social media as concerns mount over the impact of these platforms on young people's health and safety.  A look at the countries planning to implement social media ban: Australia: Banned social media for children under 16, including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. China: Uses a "minor mode" system that limits screen time and access based on a child's age. Denmark: Plans to ban social media for children under 15, with limited parental exceptions for those aged 13–14. France: Approved a bill to ban social media for children under 15, pending final legislative approval. Germany: Children aged 13–16 can use social media only with parental consent. Greece: Preparing to introduce a social media ban for children under 15. India: Karnataka  has banned social media for children under 16. Other states like Andhra Pradesh, Goa, and Bihar are considering age restrictions. Italy: Children under 14 need parental consent to create social media accounts. Malaysia: Barred users under 16 from registering new social media accounts. Norway: Proposed raising the minimum age for social media consent from 13 to 15 and introducing a 15-year minimum age limit. Poland: Drafted legislation to ban social media for children under 15 and require age verification. Slovenia: Preparing a law that would prohibit social media access for children under 15. Spain: Plans to ban social media access for minors under 16 and require age verification. Sweden: A government commission has recommended a minimum social media age of 15. Turkey: Passed legislation banning social media use by children under 15. United States: Several states require parental consent for minors, while federal legislation seeks stronger protections for young users. European Union: Considering stricter child safety rules, including parental consent for under-16s and a ban for children under 13.  Will A Blanket Ban on Social Media Work? Also read: Is India Set To Implement A Social Media Ban For Children?Blocking children from social media is no substitute for making platforms safe in the first place, the UN human rights office warned last month. "Online harms to children's safety, privacy, and wellbeing result from design choices and business practices that undermine safety, including addictive features such as infinite scroll, autoplay, and persistent notifications," said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk. Türk cautioned that such bans can be easily circumvented and risk pushing children towards riskier, less-monitored spaces. "Simply limiting access to platforms that remain unsafe cannot stand as the endpoint," he said. The UN Office also issued a 10-point framework urging governments and technology companies to go further and faster in protecting children online. The guidelines, titled Getting Children's Safety Online Right, come as age-based social media restrictions proliferate worldwide. It includes: Embedding child safety measures directly into platform design from the outset. Not leaving parents and children solely responsible for managing online risks. Conducting mandatory child-rights impact assessments for digital platforms. Implementing tightly regulated age-verification systems to protect privacy. Consulting children meaningfully when developing online safety regulations and policies. Read More: Mayim Bialik Says Just One GLP-1 Shot Triggered ‘Nightmare’ Side Effects"The intent to protect young minds from addiction, misinformation, and harmful content is welcome. However, effectiveness will depend less on restricting children and more on regulating platforms," Dr. Rajendra Pratap Gupta, Chairman of Health Parliament, creator of SHE App, and former adviser to the Union Health Minister, told HealthandMe. "Stronger platform accountability, age-appropriate design, and algorithmic responsibility are crucial. Combined with digital literacy and parental awareness, oversight and control, such measures can create a healthier digital ecosystem. Without platform control, regulations risk remaining largely symbolic," Dr. Gupta said. With inputs from Reuters

social media bans for kids gain ground worldwide: will they work?

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Social Media Bans for Kids Gain Ground Worldwide: Will They Work?

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