Restriction on Account Creation: Accounts cannot be created for individuals under the age of 13
The National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, along with other researchers, has released a discussion paper outlining measures to safeguard children and adolescents from the potential harmful effects of social media. The proposed approach emphasises age-appropriate access restrictions, media literacy education, and awareness of online risks.
Age-appropriate regulation is crucial to limit young users' exposure to harmful content. Many social media platforms have minimum age limits, but these are often not enforced in practice. Ensuring enforcement of these age recommendations is vital to protect young internet users.
Media literacy and fact-checking are essential components of the proposed digital educational canon. Researchers advocate for evidence-based strategies such as teaching media literacy to help children and adolescents identify misinformation and harmful content online. Interdisciplinary research groups are developing toolbox resources, including fact-checking labels and educational techniques to strengthen digital resilience.
Experts also highlight the psychological effects of social media, which can act like a "digital drug," influencing adolescents' behavior by exploiting their strong desire for belonging. This can lead to engagement in risky or harmful online behaviors, including exposure to violent content or extremist recruitment.
Monitoring and parental involvement are essential to protect young people from harmful online groups and violent content. Given the vulnerabilities of children and adolescents in digital environments, increased vigilance by parents, educators, and policymakers is recommended.
In Germany, a digital educational canon for social media use is proposed to be taught interdisciplinary and prepared to reflectively use social media. This digital educational canon should be developed and updated with student involvement.
The EU recently published new guidelines for protecting minors online, clarifying requirements from the Digital Services Act for online platforms. The European Digital Identity Wallet is a potential tool for such regulations. Until the age of 15, usage should be accompanied by parents.
The Covid-19 pandemic apparently contributed to a deterioration in mental health among children and adolescents. Over 20 percent of children and adolescents in Germany aged 7 to 17 show psychological symptoms, with some studies referring to this extent as mental disorders. The Leopoldina scientists see many correlations between the emergence of social media platforms at the beginning of the 2000s and the deteriorating health values, but more precise studies are needed.
Future research should focus on the effects of social media use on children under 10 and the impact of parental media use on children's interactions. For 13 to 17-year-olds, social media can be useful, but with age-appropriate restrictions, such as preventing live streaming, push notifications, or endless scrolling for those under 16.
Implementing such measures at the EU level requires support from federal governments. A EU guideline is proposed for age-independent usage regulations on social media platforms by 2027. An age verification app prototype, designed to be privacy-friendly and without disclosing personal data, has already been presented.
In conclusion, a combination of regulatory measures, education, and active support from adults, informed by scientific and ethical considerations, is recommended to safeguard young internet users from the negative effects of social media.
