The Dutch government has recommended that parents prevent children under the age of 15 from using social media platforms such as TikTok and Snapchat, joining a growing number of nations concerned about youth mental health, reports RTE.
Though the advice is not legally binding, it follows similar proposals in countries like Australia and New Zealand, where bans for those under 16 have been suggested, as well as recommendations from several other European nations.
“Intensive screen and social media use can be bad for the (mental) health and development of children,” stated the Dutch ministry for health, wellbeing and sport, reports RTE.
“Think of sleeping problems, panic attacks, depressive symptoms, reduced concentration and a negative self-image,” the ministry added, reports RTE.
In its recommendations, the ministry made a distinction between general smartphone use, messaging platforms like WhatsApp and Signal, and social networking apps such as TikTok.
Children who have not yet reached the final year of primary school—typically aged 11 or 12—should not have access to smartphones, the Dutch advice stated, reports RTE.
Once in secondary school (around age 12 or 13), messaging apps could be introduced, but social media should still be off-limits until at least age 15, according to the guidance.
“A step-by-step approach helps: first learn to communicate via chat, then get acquainted with social media,” the ministry explained, reports RTE.
The government also laid out recommendations on screen time: children under two should have no screen exposure, while those over 12 should be limited to three hours per day.
However, the guidance emphasized that healthy screen habits go beyond time restrictions.
“It’s also about balancing screen time with other activities, using media together, and fostering positive online experiences,” reports RTE.
According to the ministry, these recommendations bring the Netherlands in line with the standards being developed in other European countries.
Greece, supported by France and Spain, is leading a push within the European Union to set limits on children’s use of digital platforms, reports RTE.
While France, Greece, and Denmark have endorsed a ban on social media for those under 15, Spain has suggested extending the restriction to under-16s.
In the Netherlands, a child advocacy organization recently warned that the “unchecked expansion” of social media is fueling a worldwide mental health emergency among children and adolescents, reports RTE.
The report by KidsRights described increasing rates of “problematic” social media usage, drawing a connection between excessive online activity and suicide attempts.
However, the organization cautioned against one-size-fits-all solutions.
“Such blanket bans may infringe on children’s civil and political rights,” including access to information, the report said, reports RTE.
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