The Dutch government advised parents not to allow children under 15 to use social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram, citing psychological and physical problems in children who use them, including panic attacks, depression and difficulty sleeping.

The health ministry also encouraged parents to limit the time their children spend using electronic devices, keep phones and laptops out of bedrooms and spend 20 minutes in front of a screen, followed by two hours of outdoor play. This gives children time to further develop digital resilience and media literacy, said Vincent Karremans, interim deputy minister for youth and sports, in a letter to parliament. Karremans is one of several ministers who remained in office after the Dutch government collapsed earlier this month in anticipation of the October election. Both TikTok and Instagram require users to be at least 13 years old. The guidelines, which are not legally binding, distinguish between social media sites such as TikTok and Instagram and social interaction platforms such as messaging services WhatsApp and Signal. Social media sites have significantly more added design features that have a negative impact on children, the government said. Children can use messaging services from the age of 13, the year when most Dutch children start secondary school, according to recommendations.

Last year, Australia became the first country in the world to ban children under 16 from using social media. Denmark and France are considering similar legislation, and Sweden issued recommendations to limit screen time for children last year. An expert panel convened at the request of the Dutch parliament found that intensive screen time and social media use can lead to physical and psychological problems in children. Dutch schools have banned students from using tablets, mobile phones and smartwatches, with some exceptions. In May, about 1,400 doctors and child welfare experts in the Netherlands signed a public letter calling on the government to ban children under 14 from having mobile phones and to limit social media use until the age of 16. In February, Dutch Queen Máxima said that her youngest daughter, Princess Ariane, had vision problems from spending too much time on mobile devices.