Urgent need for social media regulation for kids

Rising concerns

Recent studies highlight a troubling rise in mental health issues among children and teens, with increased suicide attempts and depression linked to social media usage. Although definitive proof is lacking, the correlation is too significant to ignore.

Unhealthy effects of social media on teens

Social media can negatively impact teens in several ways:

Cyberbullying: Teens may face harassment and emotional distress online due to the anonymity and ease of communication on social media platforms.
Addiction and screen time: Excessive social media use can lead to addictive behaviors, resulting in disrupted sleep and negatively affecting both physical and mental health.
Mental health: Constant exposure to unrealistic images and standards on social media can cause anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem in teens.
Privacy concerns: Teens may not fully understand the risks of sharing personal information online, leading to potential exploitation or data breaches.

Teens who use social media

95%

Average daily time spent on social media

3.5

Teens who use 1 or more platforms a few times a day

35%

Teens who use TikTok every day

58%

Teens in the EU who have faced cyberbullying

1 in 5

Teens in the EU reporting lower self-esteem

1 in 4

Our statement

It’s time to rethink how we allow our children to interact with social media. The potential harms are becoming too apparent to be ignored.

We urge policy makers, corporate leaders, and influencers to join us in creating a safer, more regulated digital environment for our children.

Our campaign uses irony and sarcasm to highlight the absurdity of current lax regulations and provoke thought and discussion on real solutions.

Who is this for?

We created this initiative to serve as a comprehensive resource for parents, educators, and concerned individuals.

Here, you can:

Access reliable information and statistics about the impact of social media on children’s mental health.
Explore statements from leading experts and organisations calling for stricter regulations.
Conduct your own research to make informed decisions about your child’s social media usage.

Our goal is to inspire critical thinking and drive action towards a safer digital world for our children.

#KidsOffSocialMedia

Our campaign features 10 compelling images, each presenting a visual paradox that highlights the ironic and often harmful realities of social media for children. These images are designed to be provocative and shareable, encouraging widespread discussion and awareness.

Illustration of alcohol bottles with social media icons on them

Illustration of casino wheel with social media icons on it

Illustration of the smoke cloud full of social media icons

Illustration of car speedometer with social media icons on it

Illustration of voting ballot box with the phone and post button

Illustration of military helmets with social media icons on them

Illustration of laptop with login page and 18+ sign

Illustration of prescription for Facebook usage

Illustration of rental agreement for social media account

Illustration of bank cards with social media icons on them

See our extensive library, where you’ll find 🔗:

Detailed research papers and scholarly articles on the impact of social media on youth.
News articles and reports.
Insights from psychologists, sociologists, and digital experts on creating a safer online environment.

Studies on social media’s
effects on kids

How Using Social Media Affects Teenagers

According to the Child Mind Institute, Social media can harm teenagers by increasing anxiety, lowering self-esteem, and promoting poor body image through constant comparison and lack of in-person social cues.

How Social Media Can Negatively Affect Your Child

The Cleveland Clinic highlights that social media can cause anxiety, depression, body image issues, and sleep problems in children. Excessive use may lead to body dissatisfaction, eating disorders, cyberbullying, and exposure to inappropriate content.

Social Media and Youth Mental Health – HHS.gov

This U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory is an excellent resource outlining the current evidence on social media’s impact on youth mental health. It details both potential benefits and harms, with a focus on the latter.

Academic journals
(scholarly articles)

The Impact of Social Media on the Mental Health of Adolescents and Young Adults

This systematic review identifies studies on the influence of social media on the psychosocial functioning, health, and well-being of adolescents and young adults.

The Use of Social Media in Children and Adolescents

This article from the NCBI discusses the impact of social media overuse on mental health, self-esteem, and well-being in children and adolescents.

The Influence of Social Media on the Development of Children and Young People

This study reviews the impact of social media on children’s development and well-being, focusing on problematic use and harmful outcomes. It also discusses the EU policy and regulatory framework aimed at promoting children’s online safety.

News articles
and reports

“Senate passes the Kids Online Safety Act” (2024) – The Verge

The Senate passed the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), aiming to protect children by enforcing stricter online content moderation and prioritising their mental health, but it has sparked debates about potential overreach and censorship.

“Social Media and Teens’ Mental Health: Crisis and Opportunity” (2023) – The New York Times

This article discusses the Surgeon General’s Advisory on social media and youth mental health.

“Teens Who Spend More Than 3 Hours a Day on Social Media Are More Likely to Be Depressed” (2023) – NPR

This NPR article highlights findings about excessive social media use and depression in teens.

“Can Social Media Cause Body Image Issues?” (2022) – BBC News

This BBC News piece explores the potential link between social media use and body image concerns in young people.

“Social Media Addiction: How Screens Hook Kids” (2020) – PBS NewsHour

This PBS NewsHour segment discusses the potential addictive nature of social media for children.

Non-profit
organisations

Common Sense Media

This non-profit organisation offers resources and research on safe technology use for children, including social media.

European Youth Forum

This platform represents 104 youth organisations across Europe, advocating for young people’s needs and interests, including issues related to digital environments and social media use.

ERYICA (European Youth Information and Counselling Agency)

Based in Luxembourg, ERYICA promotes youth information and counselling, focusing on empowering young people to safely navigate digital environments.

The Jed Foundation

The Jed Foundation focuses on mental health resources for teens and young adults, including social media’s impact.

Cyberbullying Research Center

This organisation provides resources and support to understand and address cyberbullying, a significant risk associated with social media use among teens.

Join us to make a difference!

By raising awareness and demanding action, we can protect our children from the unseen dangers of social media. Explore, share, and engage with our campaign on social media to help drive meaningful change.