TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Several countries have begun restricting social media access for teens under 16 years old to protect them from negative online content. Australia has become the first country to enact this regulation, followed by Denmark, which plans to implement a similar rule next year.
The regulation prohibiting social media for teens in Australia is an implementation of the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) 2024. This policy was approved last November, but only came into effect at the end of this year. The social media platforms included in the restriction range from TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Twitch, X, Snapchat, and Reddit.
Meanwhile, China, as a country that produces many digital devices globally, also imposes restrictions on technology usage. However, these limitations only apply to gaming time and smartphone use for children. There is no standard regulation similar to Australia's policy applied in this country.
On the other hand, on average, social media platforms already prohibit children under the age of 13 from registering. The European Union legislation obliges major technology companies to implement measures to protect young people from online risks and inappropriate content. However, users can bypass this policy by providing a false identity and profile picture when registering an account.
Citing the Newport Academy mental health center, social media has the potential to become the primary catalyst for teenage mental health crises. Rather than facilitating connection, social media has recently become a platform for bullying, hoaxes, and online scams.
The review from Newport Academy highlights the modern paradox where the increase in social media usage is directly proportional to the surge in cases of depression and anxiety in teens. This phenomenon is not just an exaggeration of overprotective parents, but is supported by concerning statistical data.
According to a survey by the Pew Research Center cited in the report, as many as 26 percent of teens admitted to feeling worse about their lives after seeing their friends' posts. This impact is most severe in terms of body image.
Both young girls and boys are now vulnerable to eating disorders and low self-esteem due to comparing their physical appearance with digitally filtered photos of celebrities or influencers. A Common Sense Media survey also noted that 35 percent of teens are worried about being tagged in photos that they consider unattractive.
Ironically, social media operates by manipulating the nervous system, not just by causing psychological issues. The still-developing teen brain is highly susceptible to the dopamine trap that triggers temporary pleasure. Every like, comment, and notification provides instant gratification similar to the effect of a slot machine.
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