Internet reform is a more effective approach to safeguarding children than sweeping bans.
It frequently requires time to fully grasp the long-term health implications of novel phenomena. When social media emerged as widespread on smartphones and within educational institutions, its impact on youth was unclear. Currently, it is evident that social media engagement adversely influences children, with an advisory from the U.S. Surgeon General indicating that “the manner of use and content children and adolescents encounter raise mental health issues.”
While experts and regulators are starting to recognize the risks associated with early social media usage, consensus on appropriate actions remains elusive. Certain nations, like Australia, are implementing comprehensive social media prohibitions. In the U.S., various states and school districts are restricting cell phone use in schools as lawmakers consider national measures.
While bans may seem like a straightforward answer to a complex issue, teenagers are generally more hopeful about technology’s future and its potential for positive use, as per a Google-commissioned analysis. A recent evaluation by Jeffrey DeMarco, a senior technical advisor for Save The Children, conveys a clear message: “the solution isn’t a sweeping ban.”
Findings from the research study
Google’s inquiry surveyed over 7,000 teenagers throughout Europe regarding their expectations from technology and their vision of its future. Though the study was commissioned by Google, it was performed independently by the youth consultancy group Livity. The analysis revealed that the majority of teenagers currently utilize social media and technology for educational purposes. With regard to AI, students believe they should be educated more on its responsible use.
Australia’s social media prohibition now extends to YouTube, creating challenges for teens who have relied on the platform for educational content. The research study indicated that 74% of surveyed European teenagers have turned to YouTube for learning material for their studies. More broadly, close to 84% of participants reported that they view educational or instructional videos at least weekly, with over one-third watching such videos daily.
The investigation illustrates that social media serves as a valuable learning resource for teenagers, and absolute bans eliminate that positive aspect. “The issue isn’t that feeds lack pitfalls and difficulties, but rather that for most teens, feeds are their primary source of learning,” states DeMarco, the forensic psychologist leading the Safer Digital Childhood initiative for Save The Children. “They are akin to classrooms, and they are advocating for more intelligent, safer environments.”
Ignoring the existence of social media and AI is not beneficial for anyone
As my colleague Jerry Hildenbrand aptly mentions, children possess greater intelligence than any of us realize. They will circumvent total social media bans or restrictive policies in the absence of careful guidance. I know this firsthand, as I was once one of those children, navigating around my school’s internet restrictions with VPNs on a school-issued iPad (apologies to the teachers). Young people consistently find alternatives because they have been raised amidst technology while others, including adults, are learning to adapt.
If access to social media is prohibited and AI use is disregarded in educational settings, children may be disadvantaged. The research study highlighted that 96% of older European teens have engaged with AI in the previous year, and 40% utilize it daily or nearly every day. Young individuals are acknowledging AI’s potential as a learning asset while also understanding its dangers. They prefer to see “clear, age-appropriate guidelines” rather than total prohibitions.
“That entails articulating what is acceptable, what is not, how to cite, how to authenticate,” DeMarco writes. “This is what teens are implicitly requesting, and the report’s recommendations explicitly advocate for curriculum-level AI and media literacy, age-appropriate experiences, and standardized measures that maintain information access while safeguarding younger users.”
It is essential to recognize that teens may have a better grasp of the risks associated with AI and misinformation compared to adults. This specific study disclosed that 55% of teens evaluate whether content is credible, and 46% seek multiple verification sources. Personally, I’ve had to clarify to my parents the concept of “parody” accounts on X and the reality of deepfakes, while the younger individuals in my circle are already aware of these issues.
Another consideration is whether restricting social media and AI use among adolescents could hinder their future prospects. In a November 2025 commentary from the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, economic specialists recognized that “some of the longtime advantages in the job market associated with holding a college degree may be diminishing.” Given the ongoing influence of artificial intelligence on job opportunities, recent Bureau of Labor Statistics data indicates that young college graduates are encountering greater challenges in securing employment compared to those with only a high school diploma.
The commentary emphasizes “concerns surrounding the automation of entry-level roles typically occupied by college graduates,” highlighting the critical need for AI education. Young people must learn to leverage AI as part of their secondary education to enable informed decision-making.
