On Tuesday, the Dutch government recommended that parents should not allow their children under the age of 15 to use social media platforms like TikTok and Snapchat. This advice stems from growing concerns about mental health and adds to similar recommendations from countries like Australia and New Zealand.

This guidance is not mandatory but aligns with recent guidelines issued by multiple European nations. The Dutch Ministry of Health emphasized that heavy use of screens and social media can negatively impact children’s mental health and overall development.

They highlighted potential issues such as sleep disturbances, depression, trouble focusing, and challenges with self-esteem.

The ministry made a clear distinction between messaging apps like WhatsApp and visual social media platforms like TikTok.

According to the government, children should not have smartphones until they are at least in their last year of primary school, typically around ages 11 or 12. Once they reach about 12 or 13, messaging apps can be used, but social media access should wait until age 15.

“A gradual approach is beneficial: start with chat communication, then move on to social media,” they suggested.

Additionally, the government provided recommendations regarding screen time, advising zero screen exposure for children under two years old, and limiting screen use to three hours a day for children over 12.

Healthy screen practices involve more than just time limits, the government explained. It’s important to balance screen time with other activities, engage in media use together, and encourage positive online experiences.

This advice aligns the Netherlands with other European standards concerning youth technology usage.

Greece, supported by France and Spain, has put forth a proposal on how the European Union could regulate children’s access to online platforms.

While France, Greece, and Denmark are advocating for a social media ban for those under 15, Spain has suggested a cutoff at age 16.

A child advocacy organization in the Netherlands recently warned that the unrestricted growth of social media is contributing to a significant mental health crisis among children and teenagers.

The KidsRights report noted an increase in what it calls “problematic” social media use, linking heavy internet engagement to a rise in suicide attempts.

Nevertheless, the group cautioned against implementing blanket bans, stating, “Such wide-ranging restrictions could violate children’s civil and political rights, including their right to access information.”