Jamie Saunders

Putting Our Children First: Examining Possible Social Media Restrictions for Our Youth

The Government of Antigua and Barbuda’s decision to explore the possibility of restricting social media access for children under 16 deserves serious consideration. I believe legislators should be supported by parents, educators, the faith-based community, health professionals, and even young adults, who experienced social media from an early age and understand both its opportunities and its risks.

To be fair, social media has undeniable benefits. It provides instant access to educational resources, current affairs, history, online courses, and practical skills that can enrich a young person’s development. Used responsibly, it can be a powerful learning tool.

However, the growing body of research also highlights significant concerns. Studies published by organizations such as the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the American Psychological Association, and journals including JAMA Pediatrics have found that problematic or excessive social media use is associated with increased anxiety, depression, poor sleep, lower self esteem, and reduced well-being among adolescents. During these formative years, young people’s brains are still developing, making them more vulnerable to impulsive behaviours and emotional influences.

Many social media platforms are intentionally designed to keep users engaged through endless scrolling, notifications, likes, and shares. For some young people, online validation can become closely tied to self-worth. Children are also exposed to cyberbullying, misinformation, violent and sexually explicit content, and harmful stereotypes long before they have the maturity to process them appropriately.

Equally concerning is what social media often replaces. Time spent online can come at the expense of sports, volunteering, summer programmes, extracurricular activities, community involvement, family interaction, and other experiences that help shape confident, resilient, and socially responsible young people.

While parents play a critical role, they cannot supervise their children every moment of every day. Public policy therefore has a responsibility to support families in protecting children during this important stage of development.

Restricting social media access for those under 16 is not about rejecting technology. It is about ensuring that children are given the opportunity to mature before being fully exposed to platforms that can profoundly influence their mental health, behaviour, and development. If enacted thoughtfully, such legislation would represent an investment in healthier, safer, and more resilient future generations.

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: OPINION: Putting Our Children First: Examining Possible Social Media Restrictions for Our Youth.