How did we get here?

A massive global shift in thinking is underway. Over the last 14 years, since the arrival of smartphones, research now shows that excessive and inappropriate screen exposure is linked to the declining mental and physical health of today’s children and teens. By their nature, screens interfere with the foundational elements of good mental health: sleep, social interaction, emotional regulation, and cognitive and physical development.

Technological advances over the last decade have produced apps and games specifically designed to exploit the still-developing executive functioning skills of children and young teens.

Technological advances over the last decade have made apps and games increasingly engaging, often in ways that keep children and teens hooked. These platforms use emotive, shocking, or highly stimulating content that naturally captures attention and encourages prolonged use. While this content is not designed to deliberately “target” executive functioning, it takes advantage of the fact that children’s and adolescents’ prefrontal cortexes – responsible for planning, impulse control, and risk assessment – are still developing. This approach, known as persuasive technology, shares similarities with strategies used in the gambling industry to encourage repeated engagement.

Where to from here?

Many countries around the world are starting to implement or consider age-appropriate restrictions for social media platforms, sparking extensive debate. For example, Australia has already introduced legal measures to limit children’s access to certain platforms, while countries in Europe, North America, and Asia are exploring similar policies. These efforts aim to protect children during vulnerable developmental periods while the global conversation continues on the role of digital technology in youth wellbeing.

Delaying children’s access to social media and other online adult-focused platforms helps limit exposure during a vulnerable developmental period to:

• Highly curated content delivered by algorithms that children & teens cannot easily filter or resist.
• Addictive engagement features (likes, notifications, streaks, reels) that encourage prolonged, compulsive use.
• Loss of time for real-world experiences such as play, physical activity, hobbies, and face-to-face social interaction.
• Increased risk of online harm, including cyberbullying, grooming, sexual harassment, sexting, sextortion, and exposure to pornography.
• Early exposure to gambling and gaming addictions, often disguised as entertainment.
• Distorted self-image and social comparison, as children internalize unrealistic standards of beauty, success, or lifestyle.
• Emotional regulation challenges, including heightened anxiety, irritability, or mood swings linked to constant online stimulation.
• Reduced attention span and critical thinking, due to overstimulation and rapid content switching.
• Strain on parent-child relationships, as digital spaces can act as an “unintended co-parent,” pulling attention away from family interaction.

The case for delay

A considered, legally supported delay in access can allow children to:

• Experience a childhood rich in play, physical activity, and interpersonal connection.
• Develop executive functioning skills without interference.
• Learn vital socio-emotional skills that cannot be acquired online.
• Reduce the pressure on caregivers to constantly monitor and engage with children online.
• Avoid social media’s role as an unintended co-parent.
• Protect and support the mental health of children.

Will delaying access help?

Yes. Evidence indicates that postponing social media access can significantly benefit children’s development and wellbeing, while reducing pressure on families.

Should social media be regulated?

Yes. Despite sustained pressure from NGOs, online safety advocates, and concerned caregivers, progress has been slow. Regulation is likely the only effective mechanism to compel Big Tech to implement age gating, improve built-in safety features, and prioritize the wellbeing of children over profit.

What is the age-appropriate limit?

Experts suggest an age range between 16 and 25. Implementing a minimum age restriction provides children with space to develop under the guidance of their families and communities, while still allowing them to gradually integrate into digital spaces equipped with the life skills and resilience needed to navigate them safely.

This approach supports the long-term goal of raising happy, healthy, and fully functional adults.

Do you support delaying smartphone access for children and implementing Social Media age-appropriate restrictions in South Africa?

Your voice matters. Join the movement to protect the next generation’s mental health, safety, and wellbeing by signing our Change.org petition today: CLICK HERE