Tiered social media access preferred over outright ban, but is it enough to keep teens safe?

“Most students are mature enough by then in order to make decisions for themselves wisely, and also prioritise their academics and personal goals.” 

A youth who gave his name as Ben said he feels a child’s maturity matters more than their age.

The 18-year-old started using YouTube when he was around five, where he spent up to three hours a day, he said. Today, he mainly uses social media to connect with friends, but recognises the perils of addictive algorithms and negative content.

“The best way to have children be responsible on social media is not laws or bans, but between the parent and the child,” he said.

Dr Annabelle Chow, a clinical psychologist at Annabelle Psychology, said the most effective safeguards are holistic.

“We cannot place the responsibility entirely on children, parents, schools or platforms. As the saying goes, it takes a kampung (village) to raise a child,” she said.

Dr Chow said parents should consider the healthy use of social media as a skill in and of itself, much like learning how to cross the road or interact and play with friends.

Children learn it through practice and guidance, rather than simply upon reaching a certain age, she added.

It helps to first understand what social media provides for the child, said Dr Chow, whether it provides entertainment, a way to keep up with friends or simply to unwind.

Sports, hobbies and time with friends offer other ways to meet those needs. This does not mean filling every spare hour on a child’s calendar, she said, adding that some unstructured time also gives them room to discover their own interests and be creative.

“Ultimately, it is less about taking the phone away and more about giving children enough in their everyday lives that the phone does not need to fill every gap,” she said.