Social Media: Age Limits Based on Research Needed

The continuous exposure to social media has normalized its presence, making it seem harmless, but this perspective needs re-evaluation, according to Päivi Honkatukia and Sari Tuuva-Hongisto. They argue that societal norms have shifted, and what was once considered excessive use of social media now appears normal to younger generations who have grown up with smartphones.

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When one is constantly exposed to something, it starts to feel normal and harmless.

Drawing parallels with age restrictions placed on substances like alcohol and products like games, the authors assert that social media platforms, particularly the most popular ones, employ addictive mechanisms akin to those found in gambling and nicotine products. They contend that these platforms exploit the developing brains of adolescents, making them more susceptible to addiction.

The piece emphasizes that the current debate often equates young people's opinions with expert-based research, creating a false sense of balance. The authors advocate for age limits based on scientific evidence and expert assessments, not solely on the opinions of young users. They point out that even adults in a survey expressed a desire for age limits on platforms utilizing features like "infinite scroll" and daily check-in "streaks."

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The most popular social media platforms utilize similar addictive mechanisms to those used in gambling and nicotine products.

Ultimately, the authors propose that age restrictions should target the most harmful, addictive features of social media, such as continuous content feeds and gamified engagement tactics. This approach would allow essential communication apps and reliable information channels to remain accessible to young people while sending a strong message to platforms about the features they need to reform.

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If an age limit were to apply to precisely these features, important messaging apps and reliable information channels would remain outside its scope for young people.