As European governments consider stricter social media rules for children under 16, youth activists across France, Ireland, and the Netherlands are pushing back. They argue that a blanket ban is not the solution and that their voices have been ignored in the debate.
In France, Thomas Yaqoubi Reboul and Noe Hamon of Ctrl+Alt+Reclaim proposed amendments to a bill restricting social media for under-15s. They argue social media is one of the few free public spaces left for young people, allowing them to socialize, learn, and create.
Nineteen-year-old Lauren Bond, a board member of OBESSU, says students feel blamed and unheard. She advocates for greater regulation and digital literacy education, noting that platforms don't automatically become safer when users turn 18.
In the Netherlands, Niels Zagema, a representative for the European Commission President's Youth Advisory Board, has spoken to over a thousand young people. Most oppose outright bans, preferring a progressive exposure model that introduces technologies gradually based on a child's age.
Aisling Maloney from the National Youth Council of Ireland calls social media a lifeline for rural youth. She urges decision-makers to work with young people, advocating for a combination of legislation like the Digital Fairness Act and better digital literacy education to make platforms safer without shutting young users out.