Limit the Use of Social Media.

Social media impairs mental health, promotes misinformation, and reduces direct interactions. Limiting it protects public health and promotes social cohesion.

Problem

• Social media facilitates the rapid spread of false information, which can influe…: Social media facilitates the rapid spread of false information, which can influence public opinion and elections.
• User data is often collected without sufficient consent and misused for commerci…: User data is often collected without sufficient consent and misused for commercial purposes.
• The design of social media platforms promotes addictive behavior that causes use…: The design of social media platforms promotes addictive behavior that causes users to spend unhealthy amounts of time online.
• Social media exacerbates social inequality and harms equal opportunities, as fam…: Social media exacerbates social inequality and harms equal opportunities, as families with lower educational backgrounds can provide less or no education and control over access.
• Access to social media in schools reduces educational success, especially for we…: Access to social media in schools reduces educational success, especially for weaker students.

Solution

• Access to social media is prohibited for youths under 16 years old and violation…: Access to social media is prohibited for youths under 16 years old and violations by operators are penalized with heavy fines.
• The responsibility for ensuring age-appropriate access lies with the providers.: The responsibility for ensuring age-appropriate access lies with the providers.
• Comparable to the gambling law, providers are obliged to prevent addiction relat…: Comparable to the gambling law, providers are obliged to prevent addiction related to social media, to take preventive measures (e.g., a popup "You have already spent more than 30 minutes on our socia…
• Smartphones are banned in schools until the age of 16. Also during breaks. In da…: Smartphones are banned in schools until the age of 16. Also during breaks. In day schools, also over lunchtime.
• Schools should better integrate the handling of social media into their teaching…: Schools should better integrate the handling of social media into their teaching.

Benefit

• Studies show that less time on social media among adolescents is associated with…: Studies show that less time on social media among adolescents is associated with lower rates of depression and anxiety.
• Research suggests that adolescents without nighttime access to social media expe…: Research suggests that adolescents without nighttime access to social media experience better and longer sleep.
• Some studies indicate that less distraction from social media can lead to better…: Some studies indicate that less distraction from social media can lead to better academic performance.
• What do children gain? – Being a child. Self-esteem. Focus. Protection. Without …: What do children gain? – Being a child. Self-esteem. Focus. Protection. Without constant distraction, they can refocus on real life, friendships, and their own strengths.
• No more peer pressure when everyone is equally excluded. This reduces social pre…: No more peer pressure when everyone is equally excluded. This reduces social pressure, strengthens self-confidence, and creates space for genuine encounters.