When technology becomes a double-edged sword, perhaps radical solutions are needed. Miriam Cates, a member of the British Conservative Party, puts a controversial proposal on the table: a ban on smartphones for children under 16.
Presented during Question Time to the Prime Minister, this proposal comes in response to an alarm increase in mental health problems among adolescents, exacerbated according to Cates by the uncontrolled use of social media such as TikTok and Snapchat. The recent, tragic case of suicide of a 14-year-old English girl victim of online bullying adds further fuel to the fire. A fire, however, that has been burning for some time.
The impact of social media on mental health
Our increasingly connected digital society faces a disturbing reality: the devastating impact of social media on young people's mental health. Recent studies have highlighted a marked increase in anxiety, depression and suicide attempts among adolescents, in parallel with the exponential growth in the use of smartphones and social platforms.
This correlation cannot be ignored. Social media, while offering opportunities for connection and expression, they often transform into arenas of comparison and judgement, where bullying and social exclusion find a new, dangerous stage.
Minors online, a global problem
It is not just the United Kingdom that faces this challenge, however. We've talked about it often: several countries around the world are starting to recognize and combat the dangers that social media poses to young people. Legislative initiatives, awareness campaigns and educational programs aim to protect minors from harmful use of these technologies.
And mind you, it's a delicate balance: how to regulate without suffocating, how to protect without isolating? The English proposal raises a crucial point: the need for stricter legislation to protect minors in the digital world. It is on the border, however, between protection and censorship.
Legislation and responsibility
If we want to avoid a harsh (and perhaps impossible) ban on under-16s, it is up to governments to create a safe environment for young people online, just as in the physical world. But the responsibility does not only lie with the institutions: technology companies must be an active part in protecting the most vulnerable users, implementing more effective security systems and stricter content moderation policies.
The protection of young people online is first and foremost done offline. It requires a community approach. Families, schools, experts and young people themselves must work together to create a healthier and safer digital culture. Digital education, which teaches the conscious and critical use of media, must become a priority. Only in this way can we hope to reverse the trend and ensure that technology is a tool for growth, not a threat.
Cates' proposal, while radical, is a wake-up call that cannot be ignored. It's time to act, to question our relationship with technology and to reaffirm our commitment to protecting young people. The future of our adolescents' mental health depends on the choices we make today.
