Sweden’s health minister is calling for the European Union to prioritize social media regulations aimed at protecting children, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. Minister Jakob Forssmed expressed grave concerns, stating, “We’re losing an entire generation to endless scrolling and harmful content, and we need to do something about it.” He characterized social media usage among youth as the “most pressing health issue there is.”
His remarks come in the wake of a statement from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who indicated that Europe could follow Australia’s lead in implementing similar restrictions. Australia is set to prohibit social media access for users under the age of 16, a move that has sparked significant discussion within the EU.
Calls for swift action on youth mental health
During her recent State of the Union address in Strasbourg, von der Leyen committed to establishing a panel of experts tasked with analyzing the implications of the Australian policy and providing guidance on potential European measures. Forssmed stressed the need for rapid action, warning, “We don’t have the time. We need to move forward fast.”
Sweden has already gathered research that illustrates the adverse consequences of social media on young individuals. Forssmed noted, “This is a risk for mental health issues. We see it not least when it comes to eating disorders and harmful self-image.”
In response to these concerns, Swedish health authorities released guidelines last year advising that children under two should not be exposed to screens at all, while teenagers should limit their screen time to a maximum of three hours per day. Furthermore, the government has initiated an inquiry into social media usage and the appropriate age restrictions.
Support for enhanced EU measures
In Denmark, Minister for Digital Affairs Caroline Stage Olsen echoed Forssmed’s sentiments, advocating for stronger regulatory actions from Brussels. She declared that this issue would become one of the “main priorities” during Denmark’s presidency of the EU Council. Olsen outlined three critical steps for the EU to consider: establishing a mandatory legal requirement for age verification, prohibiting harmful and addictive practices targeted at minors, and enhancing enforcement of these measures.
Denmark has already implemented a ban on smartphones in schools as of February, following France’s initiative in 2018. Additionally, Belgium introduced a similar ban earlier this month. Currently, five EU nations—Denmark, Greece, France, Italy, and Spain—are piloting a European Commission age verification application designed to safeguard children online.
Last year, Ireland’s Department of Health initiated an online health task force to investigate the connections between specific online activities and the physical and mental health challenges faced by children and adolescents. The task force is also working on a strategic public health response to these issues, with a final report expected next month.
Von der Leyen indicated that she would hold off on determining EU-wide measures until the analysis of the Australian policy is completed. However, it remains uncertain how long European experts will require to conduct this analysis, given that the Australian law is set to take effect on December 10, and she aims to receive the panel’s recommendations by the end of the year.