Efforts to control children's screen time gain momentum across globe

Concerns mount over the excessive time children and adolescents spend online, driven by the rise of social media, and are prompting more countries to introduce restrictions.

Austria has announced that starting May 1, mobile phones and smartwatches will be banned in primary and secondary schools, bringing fresh focus to restrictions on digital devices.

Concerns over issues like manipulation, digital bullying, misinformation, hate speech, explicit content, privacy breaches, fraud, and cybersecurity have grown due to excessive screen time, especially among children and adolescents.

In response, countries are introducing new rules, restrictions, and bans on smartphones and social media platforms.

Studies indicate that excessive use of social media and smartphones leads to mental health issues in children, such as anxiety, ADHD, and depression, as well as physical health concerns like poor posture and obesity.

Restrictions around world

Many countries worldwide are implementing regulations to limit children's access to digital devices and social media. In Europe, Austria, France, Germany, Belgium, and Italy have introduced laws requiring parental consent for social media use or banning phones in schools.

In the Americas, the U.S., Venezuela, and Brazil are also imposing restrictions, with Florida leading the way in banning phones during class.

Australia has passed a law to ban social media for children under 16, while other countries like Indonesia, India, and South Korea are considering similar measures.