NEW YORK, 9 December 2025 – Governments worldwide are debating how young is “too young” for social media, with many introducing new age-based restrictions across platforms.

UNICEF acknowledges that these measures stem from real concerns: children are increasingly exposed to bullying, exploitation, and harmful online content—challenges that can seriously affect their mental health and well-being. Families, meanwhile, are struggling to keep children safe under the current system.

However, UNICEF cautions that outright bans may carry unintended risks and could ultimately do more harm than good.

For many children—especially those isolated or marginalised—social media provides vital opportunities for connection, learning, play, and self-expression. And despite restrictions, many young people will still find ways to access social media, often turning to less regulated or less safe platforms, making protection even more difficult.

UNICEF stresses that age limits must be part of a broader, rights-based strategy that protects children from harm while ensuring their privacy, participation, and access to safe digital spaces. Regulations cannot replace platform responsibility: tech companies must continue investing in safer design and better content moderation.

The organisation calls on governments, regulators, and companies to work directly with children and families to create digital environments that are safe, inclusive, and respectful of children’s rights. Key actions include:

1. Governments: Ensure age-related laws do not replace companies’ obligations to improve platform design and content moderation. Require companies to proactively identify and address risks to children’s rights.
2. Tech and social media companies: Prioritise child safety in design, invest in effective content moderation, and develop rights-respecting age-assurance tools and age-appropriate user experiences—even in fragile or conflict-affected regions.
3. Regulators: Implement strong, systemic measures to prevent and mitigate online harms.
4. Civil society and partners: Amplify the voices and lived experiences of children, youth, parents, and caregivers. Evidence—including children’s own perspectives—must inform decisions about age limits.
5. Parents and caregivers: Receive more support to build digital literacy. They currently face impossible expectations, asked to monitor platforms they didn’t design, understand hidden algorithms, and supervise countless apps around the clock.

UNICEF reaffirms its commitment to working with children, young people, and families so that digital policies, regulations, and technologies reflect their needs, rights, and voices. The organisation stands ready to collaborate with governments, businesses, and communities to ensure every child can connect, learn, and thrive safely in the digital age.