"Hours of scrolling over harmful content is rewiring young brains and causing anxiety and other health hazards, experts say, compelling European governments to act. "The specific focus on minors is due to the increased risk of long-term harm, since they are still developing cognitively," Paul O. Richter, affiliate fellow with Brussels-based think tank Bruegel, told DW. "There is a lot of research showing strong correlations between social media usage and mental health issues.""
"In France, the bill that calls for a ban on under-15s will now be sent to the upper house of the French parliament for a vote. In Spain, the Council of Ministers is expected to approve the ban on under 16s and add the clause to a draft bill under discussion in the Spanish parliament. "Today, our children are exposed to a space they were never meant to navigate alone, a space of addiction, abuse, pornography, manipulation [and] violence,""
European leaders and institutions are pursuing age limits or bans on social media access for minors, typically targeting ages 15–16. Research links prolonged exposure to harmful online content with rewired developing brains, increased anxiety, and other mental-health hazards. National moves include a French bill for under-15s and a Spanish proposal aiming at under-16s, with political backing from national leaders and EU figures who reference models such as Australia’s 16-year threshold. Policymakers cite elevated long-term harm risks for minors and seek legal frameworks to restrict platform access, while questions remain about enforcement and practical effectiveness.
Read at www.dw.com
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