70% of Dutch support social media ban for children under 15

A clear majority of Dutch citizens favour banning social media use for children under 15, with 70% in support. A quarter of respondents oppose the measure, while 5% say they have no opinion on the issue, Hart van Nederland reports.

The findings come from a survey conducted through the Hart van Nederland panel, in which 3,642 respondents participated. According to the organisers, the panel is weighted to reflect the Dutch population in terms of factors such as age, region, and education.

The lowest level of support is found among 45–54-year-olds, where 59% are in favour of the measure, a group that often includes parents of minor children. In all other age groups, support is higher.

At present, major social media platforms, including TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat, set a minimum user age of 13 in line with U.S. regulations. However, compliance with this age limit is rarely effectively enforced in practice.

There is growing support within the Tweede Kamer, the lower house of Dutch parliament, for an age-limit on social media. The discussion in the Netherlands comes in the wake of international trends. Australia is moving toward a legal ban for users under 16, while France is also experimenting with a so-called “digital break” for young people.

Those in favour frequently cite concerns about algorithm-driven content, increasing mental health issues, including depression and anxiety, and the dangers of cyberbullying and grooming online.

Opponents say a ban would be difficult to enforce because reliably verifying users’ ages is technically complex. They also argue that efforts should focus on improving media literacy, warning that strict restrictions could slow down children’s digital skills and development.