Minimum Age Limit for Social Media in the Netherlands Gains Momentum
The debate around introducing a minimum age limit for social media in the Netherlands is gathering significant support, making the implementation of such a measure increasingly likely. However, opinions differ on what the appropriate age threshold should be.
The Netherlands Pushes for a Social Media Age Limit
Support for a minimum age limit on social media use has been growing within the Dutch House of Representatives. Recently, the political party D66 proposed restricting social media usage for children under the age of 15. Their initiative received backing from coalition parties VVD and NSC.
The primary disagreement lies in the exact age limit. VVD has suggested setting the threshold at 13 years, stating that anything above this age provides a “false sense of security.” According to VVD member Rosmarijn Dral, 13 is a pivotal age as children transition from primary to secondary school and are already heavily exposed to social media.
NSC also supports an age limit but proposes involving parents and children in deciding the appropriate age. Jesse Six Dijkstra from NSC suggested organizing a “citizens’ council” to gather input from the public, including young people, to reach a consensus on the age restriction.
Concerns About Social Media’s Effects on Children
Criticism of social media’s impact on young people has intensified, with addiction and mental health risks being key concerns. A recent RTL Nieuws survey of 20,000 families with children under 18 revealed that 79% of parents favor an age limit for social media use for children under 15.
The Ministry of Education has also raised alarms about the negative influence of social media and mobile phones on children’s academic performance and well-being. In 2023, the government recommended a phone ban in schools, with studies showing reduced bullying and increased social interactions among students in schools that implemented such bans.
Calls for Tech Companies to Take Responsibility
Some political parties argue that tech companies should bear more responsibility. Michiel van Nispen of SP criticized social media platforms for designing addictive apps and games, describing it as an “unfair battle with children’s brains.” SP believes that banning addictive elements of these platforms is a more effective solution than age restrictions, though they are open to age limits if other measures fail.
Barbara Kathman of GroenLinks/PvdA echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need to combat the addictive design of platforms rather than relying solely on age restrictions. She proposed introducing a classification system, akin to movie ratings, to guide parents in managing their children’s social media use.
D66 Pushes Forward Despite Opposition
Despite differing views, D66 is moving ahead with their proposal, citing parents’ demand for clear standards and guidance. “Parents are desperate for guidance and standards,” a D66 spokesperson noted. The party is also advocating for Europe-wide changes, aiming to establish a unified minimum age limit of 15 for social media use.
