LEBANON — A study by SMEX, in cooperation with the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies – Beirut, has warned that blanket bans on social media and age-based access restrictions do not provide an effective solution to protecting children from digital harms. Instead, they could create additional risks affecting privacy and digital rights.
Titled “Protecting Children from Social Media Use: Are Banning Policies Effective?”, the paper draws on legal and scientific evidence to examine the growing range of policies aimed at restricting children’s access to social media platforms.
The study argues that blanket bans and mandatory age verification fail to address the root causes of online harms. They may also push children toward alternative platforms that are subject to less oversight, or toward AI-powered applications and games, potentially increasing rather than reducing the risks they face.
It also warns that age-verification systems may require users, both children and adults, to submit official documents or biometric data to private companies, raising concerns over data breaches, identity theft, and the expansion of government and commercial surveillance.
The study stresses that children are not merely a group in need of protection, but also rights holders. It notes that blanket bans may interfere with their rights to freedom of expression, access to information and education, participation, and social interaction, all of which are protected under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Regarding the scientific evidence, the study, citing the American Psychological Association (APA), explains that social media is not inherently beneficial or harmful. Its impact depends on how it is used, the type of content involved, children’s psychological and biological characteristics, and their family environment.
The paper further identifies the design of digital platforms as a key part of the problem, particularly features designed to capture users’ attention and keep them engaged for longer periods, including recommendation algorithms, infinite scrolling, autoplay, and intrusive notifications.
Instead of blanket bans, the paper calls for a “shared responsibility” model involving social media platforms, governments, schools, parents, and children. This approach would require companies to adopt safety-by-design principles, implement stronger privacy protections by default, limit potentially addictive features, and increase transparency around recommendation algorithms.
The study also recommends strengthening data protection laws, restricting the commercial exploitation of children’s data and targeted advertising directed at them, and investing in digital and media literacy to help children and parents navigate the digital environment more safely and responsibly.
