Social Media Restrictions for Children Under 16: Supporting Mental Health

The increasing prevalence of gadget employ among children has sparked debate about its impact on their mental and emotional well-being. Experts emphasize the importance of parental guidance and establishing clear rules to prevent excessive use and potential harm. Recent assessments suggest restricting social media access for children under 16 is a crucial step in safeguarding their mental health.

The Developing Brain and Digital Risks

Psychiatrist Kristiana Siste Kurniasanti, a subspecialist in addiction psychiatry, explains that the brain development of individuals under 18 is not yet complete. This immaturity can hinder a child’s ability to fully grasp the consequences of their actions in the digital world, making them more vulnerable to risks.

“When something that is high risk must be restricted due to the fact that it is related to the function of the brain that has not been perfectly formed, so in choosing whether this is high risk for him, it still has to be under strict supervision. That is, children cannot be left alone to choose,” Kurniasanti stated.

Recommendations for Healthy Gadget Use

Kurniasanti and other experts recommend several strategies for parents:

• Establish Clear Rules: Implement household rules regarding gadget use, such as prohibiting devices at the dining table or in bedrooms. Encourage use in common areas for supervision.
• Limit Screen Time: Set daily time limits for gadget use and supplement this time with family activities.
• Turn Off Notifications: Reduce the temptation to constantly check devices by disabling notifications.
• Designated Device-Free Times: Establish specific times, such as 8:00 PM or 9:00 PM, when all electronic devices are put away.
• Moderate Gaming: Restrict gaming, with a recommended maximum of three hours per day.
• Short Gaming Sessions: Break up gaming time into shorter sessions (e.g., 20 minutes) interspersed with other activities like exercise, reading, or family time.
• Address Tantrums with Consistency: Avoid immediately giving in to a child’s demands during a tantrum, as this can reinforce attention-seeking behavior.

The Importance of Parental Modeling

Kurniasanti emphasizes that parents should model healthy digital habits. Rules should apply to all family members to demonstrate consistency and promote a balanced approach to technology use.

Brain Development and Social Media Access

According to Kurniasanti, by age 16, the prefrontal cortex is generally fully developed, enabling better judgment and risk assessment. This development supports a child’s ability to understand the benefits and drawbacks of social media use.

“Children have developed 16 years and above, so their prefrontal cortex has developed perfectly. He can notice ‘this is a blessing, what is the disadvantage for me’. So it also supports the mental development of children,” she said.

Kristiana Siste Kurniasanti’s Research

Kristiana Siste Kurniasanti is a psychiatrist at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Indonesia, specializing in addiction psychiatry. Her research focuses on areas including internet addiction, gaming disorder, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health. She has an h-index of 28 and has been cited over 19,350 times.