Are social media bans the best solution?
In a landmark social media trial in March 2026, a jury in the United States found Meta and Google liable for intentionally nurturing addiction in a teen. After Australia banned social media for teens under 16 in December 2025, several countries have done the same for young people under a certain age. In Europe, countries are currently debating their own restrictions. But will such a strategy work? Professors Sandra Cortesi and Urs Gasser from the Technical University of Munich don’t think so. Following a year-long analysis, they claim that it may backfire, ultimately doing more harm than good. Presented in the journal ‘Science’(opens in new window), the findings were based on their analysis as co-chairs of a working group comprised of an international panel of academics, children’s rights organisations and non-profit institutions.
Trust over surveillance
The two researchers argue that blanket social media bans, parental control requirements and extensive surveillance rules for youth usually don’t succeed in making them safer. The main factor for this is trust. Trust issues lead youth to hide problems rather than seek adult help when they feel monitored or excluded. In a news release(opens in new window), Gasser explained why he opposes a ban. “Our argument is not against regulation. Legal requirements are indispensable. However, we believe that policymakers should do more than just establish red lines. Rather, they should require providers to design their platforms and products in a child-friendly manner. That is more demanding than a blanket ban, but also more promising. After all, what we really want is for children and youths to be able to learn how to use media autonomously and in a way that has a positive impact on them.”
Empowering youth in digital safety
Cortesi emphasised that young people should take on a more active role in digital safety, with the support of the educational system. “By involving children and youths, schools have a tremendous opportunity, on the one hand, to show them a future in which the digital world isn’t just full of a thousand risks, and on the other hand, to empower them with a sense of self-efficacy. The message wouldn’t be: ‘We’ll show you how the digital world works.’ Rather, it would be: ‘We as schools have a lot to learn from you, because we may not know all the tools, but you know exactly how to use them. As adults, we also have important contributions to make, such as our social values and experience. Let’s create learning content together.’ This would go a long way toward ensuring the digital safety of children and young people.” If settings and strict legal safeguards don’t fully prevent young users from harmful content or digital violence, then what will? “Research shows that it is important for older children and youths to be able to report such content and incidents anonymously and receive immediate support,” explained Gasser. “In many cases, they feel ashamed and guilty. Therefore, it is important that such reports do not go unnoticed for weeks, but rather that understanding is shown and help is offered immediately. … Some countries already have support services where trained young people, with professional support, serve as contact persons. Such services should become standard.”
