The Dutch government on Tuesday said children under 15 years old should not have access to social media like TikTok and Instagram.
Children over 13 should be able to learn how to use “social interaction platforms” like WhatsApp and Signal, the Dutch government said in new guidelines to help parents handle screen time and social apps. But when it comes to social media, the government advises to wait until the age of 15, it said in a press release.
The Netherlands is one of several European Union countries that is taking action against the effects of social media on minors’ mental health and development. France’s President Emmanuel Macron has been vocal about a minimum age of 15 for social media use, and Greece and Spain also support tougher rules.
The European Commission has released its own guidelines on the protection of minors online, but many member states appear unhappy with the pace of progress at the EU level.
Social interaction platforms like chat apps play a “positive role” as children over 12 develop their social identities, offering “space for social interaction with peers and for self-expression,” the Dutch guidelines said.
The guidelines also recommended limiting children’s screen time, starting from half an hour per day for two-to-four-year-olds and gradually increasing to three hours per day for children over 12.
Parents and educators should also practice healthy screen time habits to set the example for children, the guidelines said, including putting their phones away and turning notifications off when they are with minors.
The Dutch Parliament asked for the guidelines back in February.
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