Countries Implementing Digital Device Restrictions for Children Amid Rising Concerns
Concerns about the growing time children and adolescents are spending online have led to a wave of restrictions on digital devices and social media platforms in various countries. The rise of social media use, while offering connectivity and information, has sparked fears over issues like manipulation, digital bullying, disinformation, privacy violations, and the mental and physical health of young users.
Austria is the latest to implement such measures, with a ban on mobile phones and smartwatches in primary and secondary schools starting on May 1. This regulation aims to address the negative impacts of excessive screen time. Similar laws are being discussed or implemented in several European countries, including France, Germany, Belgium, and Italy, where children are required to obtain parental consent to use social media.
In the Americas, several states in the US, such as Florida and California, have moved to restrict phone use in schools, partly due to safety concerns stemming from school shootings. Meanwhile, Brazil and Venezuela have also been examining restrictions on children’s social media use after reports of harmful trends circulating online. Notably, Brazil has passed a law banning mobile phones in schools, except for educational purposes.
In Australia, a bill was passed in November 2024 to prohibit children under 16 from accessing social media, a move that could set a precedent for other nations. This decision has prompted discussions in other countries like Indonesia, which is considering similar legislation.
Countries across Asia are also considering or enacting measures to protect children from the risks of excessive social media use. South Korea is exploring age restrictions for social media, and India’s recent Data Protection Act requires verifiable parental consent for minors using digital services.
These global efforts reflect growing recognition of the potential harms posed by excessive screen time, and countries are increasingly taking action to safeguard the well-being of children in the digital age.
