Beatriz Martinez, psychiatrist: In a few years, letting children be glued to screens will be seen in the same light as dipping their pacifier in alcohol'

"I think it's fine. I do believe that legislation is needed. Like the real world, the internet needs to be legislated and regulated. But I wouldn't like it to mean that, since under-16s won't be able to use networks, nothing else needs to be looked at. Quite the opposite. That is why this book is also very pertinent, because it talks about training parents and educators on the need to educate a child on digital issues throughout their life."

"It terrifies me when I see infants in their strollers looking at videos or games on cell phones. Then there is the issue of access to social media; at 16 we can't be saying: Well, now you can do whatever you want. The idea is that they develop critical thinking regarding what they will find on the internet from artificial intelligence to fake news to deepfakes. More than ever, they will need to question what they see."

Scientific evidence links early and unrestricted smartphone and social network access to worse mental health in minors, including anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, attempts, and self-harm. Legislation such as banning social networks for under-16s is supported, but regulation alone is insufficient. Parents and educators require training to provide lifelong digital education beginning from birth, and adults should avoid exposing infants to videos or games on cell phones. Digital education should build critical thinking about online content, artificial intelligence, fake news, and deepfakes. Age thresholds should not signal unrestricted access at later ages; ongoing guidance and parental oversight remain necessary.

Read at english.elpais.com