Social media bans risk excluding children from important opportunities rather than tackling harms, new report finds
Nearly half (45 per cent) of the children surveyed in a new report from researchers at LSE and the University of Oslo said age-based restrictions on social media would not make them feel any safer online.
In an EU Kids Online survey of 29,169 children aged 9–16 across Europe, young people voiced their concerns around social media bans, saying they could cause issues around freedom, responsibility, social connection, education, and democratic participation.
A majority of those surveyed either somewhat (19 per cent) or strongly agree (26 per cent) that an age ban would limit their freedom and rights, and many also feel it would take away their own responsibility to decide (47 per cent). This is important in the wider age bans debate because restrictions are often framed as protective measures, but young people may experience them as a loss of agency rather than as support.
The report found that while up to one in five 9–16-year-olds in Europe report encountering some forms of problematic user-generated content (with conspiracy theories being the most reported problematic content), children’s worries tend to be much broader, including family illness or death, war, future employment and school achievement.
Children report using social media for a wide range of activities. Communication with friends is the most frequent activity, followed by watching videos on social media, listening to music and communicating with parents or caregivers.
Young people are also using the internet for education and information, with children from lower socio-economic homes more likely to search online for information about mental health and wellbeing.
While some children report exposure to risks online including potentially harmful content, image-based abuse concerns, pornography, eating-disorder content and misinformation, the findings show patterns of exposure, not simple causality.
The researchers note the findings do not establish whether social media causes harm, whether vulnerable children are more likely to encounter or seek out certain content, or whether online and offline difficulties reinforce each other. Exposure does not automatically mean harm, and risks vary by age, gender, socioeconomic status, vulnerability, intention and platform context.
They argue that while age bans, if they can be effectively implemented, may address some risks for some younger children, the findings show that this would be at the cost of important online opportunities. A more balanced approach would combine age-appropriate protections, safety-by-design, platform accountability, digital literacy, support systems and attention to children’s rights to participation, information and social connection.
Professor Sonia Livingstone from the Department of Media and Communication at LSE said: “The evidence shows that age bans will restrict the significant opportunities that children currently value to communicate, learn and relax. Recognising that these opportunities are too often accompanied by risks, it is time for digital services to be designed and regulated in ways that respect all of children’s rights.”
Professor Elisabeth Staksrud from the University of Oslo added: “Age bans may appear to offer a simple and efficient solution, but they risk excluding children rather than addressing the design and governance failures that create online risks. Children need safer digital environments, not fewer opportunities to participate.”