Shazia Ramzan
The debate over children’s access to social media has entered a new phase across the world. Governments are no longer asking whether social media affects children’s mental health, emotional development and online safety. Increasingly, they are asking how far the law should go in limiting children’s access to digital platforms. The European Union has now joined a growing list of countries seeking stricter controls, proposing one of the world’s most comprehensive approaches to protecting young users. While legislation alone cannot solve every problem, the discussion reflects an important reality: childhood has fundamentally changed in the digital era, and societies must respond accordingly.
An expert panel advising the European Union has recommended that children below the age of thirteen should not have unrestricted access to social media. Instead, any access should take place only under adult supervision. For teenagers between thirteen and eighteen, the panel proposes a gradual system of access that recognises different stages of maturity and responsibility. The European Commission is expected to consider legislative proposals in the coming months, making this one of the most significant child protection initiatives undertaken by the bloc.
The reasoning behind these recommendations is supported by growing evidence. European children spend an average of four to six hours each day on social media platforms. Studies have also found that a majority of young users have experienced emotional distress, cyberbullying, harmful content, online manipulation or other forms of psychological pressure. Social media can offer educational opportunities, creativity and social interaction, but it also exposes children to misinformation, addictive algorithms, unrealistic lifestyles and strangers who may exploit their vulnerability. The digital world has become both a place of opportunity and a source of serious risk.
Several countries have already introduced similar restrictions. Australia became the first nation to prohibit social media access for children under sixteen and introduced substantial financial penalties for technology companies that fail to comply. The United Kingdom plans to implement comparable restrictions, while France, Spain, Greece and several other European countries are preparing their own legal frameworks. These developments demonstrate that governments increasingly recognise online child protection as a matter of public policy rather than simply parental responsibility.
However, passing legislation is far easier than enforcing it. Australia’s experience illustrates this challenge clearly. Despite legal restrictions, a large majority of Australian children continue to use social media because they can easily bypass age verification systems. Creating a false account often requires little more than entering an incorrect date of birth. Many platforms still rely on self-declared information instead of robust age verification technologies. As a result, regulations that appear strong on paper often prove far less effective in practice.
This raises important questions for the European Union. European lawmakers place exceptional importance on privacy and data protection. They must therefore find a balance between protecting children’s identities and verifying users’ ages without collecting excessive personal information. Any system that requires identity documents or biometric data may itself raise privacy concerns. Designing effective, secure and proportionate enforcement mechanisms will therefore become one of the greatest challenges facing regulators.
The debate extends beyond legal enforcement. Social media companies themselves bear considerable responsibility for creating safer digital environments. Their recommendation systems often prioritise engagement over wellbeing. Children are exposed to endless streams of content selected by algorithms designed to maximise screen time rather than support healthy development. Stronger content moderation, safer default settings, transparent recommendation systems and stricter protections against harmful content should become standard practice rather than optional measures.
Pakistan faces similar concerns, although the national conversation has progressed much more slowly. Millions of Pakistani children now use the internet every day, frequently without meaningful supervision. YouTube remains their most frequently used platform, followed by messaging applications and image-sharing services. As smartphone ownership expands and internet access becomes more affordable, children’s exposure to digital content continues to increase rapidly.
Unfortunately, online risks have also increased. Cyberbullying, online harassment, fraudulent schemes, child exploitation and exposure to inappropriate material have become growing concerns. Law enforcement agencies continue to report rising numbers of internet-related crimes involving children. Yet comprehensive legislation specifically addressing children’s social media use remains limited. Policymakers have debated various proposals, but concerns regarding implementation, technological feasibility and enforcement have delayed meaningful progress.
Even if Pakistan adopts strict legal restrictions similar to those introduced elsewhere, legislation alone will not provide complete protection. Technology changes faster than regulation. Young users often discover new platforms long before governments understand them. Virtual private networks, alternative applications and anonymous accounts can easily undermine age-based restrictions. No law can monitor every household or supervise every child’s digital activity.
The most effective protection therefore begins at home. Parents remain children’s first teachers, mentors and guardians. Digital parenting has become just as important as traditional parenting. Families should establish clear rules regarding screen time, explain online risks in age-appropriate language and encourage healthy alternatives such as reading, sports, creative activities and face-to-face interaction. Open communication is far more effective than complete prohibition because children who understand risks are better equipped to make responsible decisions.
Schools also have an important role to play. Digital literacy should become an essential component of modern education. Children need practical guidance on recognising misinformation, protecting personal information, avoiding online predators and managing their mental wellbeing in digital environments. Teachers and parents must work together to develop responsible digital citizens rather than passive consumers of online content.
Ultimately, protecting children online requires cooperation among governments, technology companies, schools and families. Laws establish important boundaries, but they cannot replace parental guidance or personal responsibility. Technology will continue to evolve, bringing new opportunities and new dangers. The challenge is not to isolate children from the digital world but to prepare them to navigate it safely, wisely and confidently. A healthier digital future depends not merely on stronger regulation but on stronger families, better education and a collective commitment to placing children’s wellbeing above commercial interests.
