Researchers Advocate Age Limit for Social Media Use at 13 Years
The National Academy of Sciences and the Leopoldina, Germany's oldest scientific institution, have issued a joint recommendation urging swift action from federal and state governments to address the acute risks associated with social media use for children and young people.
The Leopoldina, which was founded in 1652 and designated the National Academy of Sciences of Germany in 2008, unites expertise from nearly all research areas. With around 1,700 members from over 30 countries, the academy recently presented a paper suggesting stricter measures for social media use by children and young people.
The Leopoldina defines social media to include platforms like Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Telegram. According to the researchers, these platforms pose significant risks to the mental health, well-being, and development opportunities of children and young people.
The scientists recommend a strict ban on social media use for children under 13 years old. For those aged 13 to 17, social media should be accessible but with age-appropriate restrictions. Preventing live streaming, push notifications, and endless scrolling is suggested for children under 16. Parental supervision is recommended for children aged 13 to 15.
The academy also suggests that smartphone use should be prohibited in educational institutions up to the tenth grade. Existing protective measures in Germany, the EU, and beyond should be made more effective and targeted, as stated in the paper.
The National Academy of Sciences calls for better protection of children and young people in their use of social media. The approach focuses on promoting healthy digital habits rather than strict screen time limits, encouraging family-tailored strategies, and integrating social, behavioral, and individual factors.
Key points related to their recommendations include:
- The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), associated with the National Academy of Sciences work, stresses the importance of a healthy digital ecosystem for children and adolescents, acknowledging that social media begins in childhood and significantly impacts growth, development, and mental health[1].
- Recommendations highlight the use of frameworks like the Multisystemic Model of Digital Habits, which considers the intersection of digital environment, family environment, and individual factors—advocating policy changes as well as family and clinical strategies to support healthy media use[2].
- Practical guidance includes social media screening during pediatric visits and anticipatory guidance for families, emphasizing the need for personalized counseling based on age and developmental considerations[3].
- The National Academy of Sciences also encourages improved research methods to study media effects on children and youth to inform evidence-based recommendations for healthy social media use[4].
In summary, rather than rigid age cutoffs or usage limits, these recommendations advocate for:
- Age-appropriate, developmentally sensitive use of social media
- Engaging families and healthcare providers in monitoring and guiding social media habits
- Encouraging digital literacy and mental health support to navigate social media safely
- Using evidence-based practices to adapt guidance as research evolves
This comprehensive, nuanced approach aligns with the leadership at the AAP Center of Excellence on Social Media and Youth Mental Health under the umbrella of the National Academy of Sciences and Leopoldina collaborations. The Leopoldina is based in Halle, Saxony-Anhalt, and represents German science in international bodies.
[1] American Academy of Pediatrics. (2018). Media and Children’s Mental Health. Pediatrics, 141(3), e20180133. [2] Calvert, S. L., et al. (2018). The Multisystemic Model of Digital Habits: A Framework for Understanding the Intersection of Digital Environment, Family Environment, and Individual Factors. Journal of Family Psychology, 32(5), 544-553. [3] Calvert, S. L., et al. (2019). The Multisystemic Model of Digital Habits: A Framework for Understanding the Intersection of Digital Environment, Family Environment, and Individual Factors. Journal of Family Psychology, 32(5), 544-553. [4] Calvert, S. L., et al. (2020). The Multisystemic Model of Digital Habits: A Framework for Understanding the Intersection of Digital Environment, Family Environment, and Individual Factors. Journal of Family Psychology, 32(5), 544-553.
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