Growing support in Tweede Kamer for social media age limit

Momentum is building in the Tweede Kamer for introducing a minimum age for social media use, with key parties signaling support for regulation. While D66 has proposed setting the age limit at 15, the VVD and NSC are also in favor of restrictions, though differences remain on the appropriate age.

D66 Member of Parliament Hanneke van der Werf sparked the discussion weeks ago, advocating a minimum social media age of 15. VVD has now expressed support for a minimum age but prefers the threshold to be 13, aligning with existing policies of social media platforms. Rosemarijn Dral, a VVD MP, explained, “Everything above 13 creates a false sense of security. Today’s children are already immersed in social media, and you won’t get them off it. Thirteen is also the age when students transition from primary to secondary school.”

The NSC also supports the idea but suggests holding a citizen consultation to determine the specific age limit. Jesse Six Dijkstra, an NSC MP, said, “We want to assemble a representative group of the population, including youth, to advise on the appropriate age.”

A recent poll by RTL Nieuws surveyed 20,000 participants and found that 79 percent of parents with children under 18 support a minimum social media age of 15. Dijkstra believes such input validates the need for regulation, saying, “If a public consultation yields similar results, the government should implement it.”

Concerns over social media’s impact on children are growing, with critics citing addiction and mental health risks. SP MP Michiel van Nispen raised skepticism about an age limit’s effectiveness, arguing that the core issue lies with “addictive elements” deliberately built into apps and games by tech companies. “We cannot rely on big tech to protect children. Rules are needed,” he said, adding that the SP may support an age limit if tech companies fail to address these issues.

Meanwhile, GroenLinks-PvdA opposes a minimum age, calling instead for strict regulations targeting the “unhealthy and addictive” design of social media platforms. MP Barbara Kathman stated, “These platforms don’t have to be harmful; they are made that way. We shouldn’t accept this any longer.” The party supports introducing a classification system, similar to movie age ratings, to guide parents in managing their children’s social media use.

D66 remains committed to its proposal despite opposition. Van der Werf noted widespread public support for clear political action, saying, “Parents are desperate for guidance and standards. It’s critical that we demand changes from tech companies, ideally at the European level. Together with other countries, we can push for a minimum age of 15.”