Children and Social Media: EU Seeks Solutions to Stop Teen Digital Addiction

The European Union is intensifying discussions on how to address growing concerns about teenagers’ dependence on social networks. Since 2010, the time young people spend online has nearly doubled, now averaging about three hours a day. According to the World Health Organization, more than 10% of adolescents in 2022 showed signs of digital addiction, including withdrawal symptoms and loss of control over screen time.

Europe’s Response

European governments are considering:

• mandatory age verification policies,

• large-scale awareness campaigns,

• and even the possibility of banning social media for children under 15.

French President Emmanuel Macron has openly proposed such a ban. Similar debates are ongoing in Denmark, Greece, Spain, Italy, and the Netherlands.

At the same time, tech companies are rolling out their own measures, such as limiting access to sensitive content, disabling certain features, and increasing privacy settings. Experts, however, warn these steps remain insufficient.

“Like Fighting Drugs”

Researchers emphasize that social media can be beneficial for communication and friendship, but its overuse is increasingly linked to depression, insomnia, and substance abuse.
Kadri Soova, Director of Mental Health Europe, insists on clearer regulation and direct responsibility for tech giants: “The harm to children and teenagers cannot be ignored.”

New Rules and Investigations

The EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA) requires platforms to protect minors’ privacy and safety. Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok are already under investigation for potential violations. Proposed measures include:

• banning algorithmic recommendations based on children’s browsing history,

• removing “streaks” and read receipts,

• enabling maximum privacy settings by default.

Still, enforcement is challenging as many children misrepresent their age online.

The Age Verification Debate

A central question is who should enforce age verification: platforms themselves, or operating system providers like Google and Apple? Meta argues that device-level controls would be more effective, while Google suggests shared responsibility.

Ban or Comprehensive Approach?

The WHO recommends focusing not solely on bans but on digital literacy, parental involvement, and robust age checks. EU health ministers admit there is no clear evidence that full bans are effective, but agree that waiting too long is risky.

As Malta’s Health Minister Jo Etienne Abela put it: “We know the problem exists. A lack of perfect data does not mean we should do nothing.”