A new study finds that banning children from social media may undermine trust and increase risks, urging a shift toward trust-based digital safety strategies.
A new analysis published in Science by researchers from the Technical University of Munich warns that banning children from social media may fail to improve online safety and could even worsen risks. The study, led by Sandra Cortesi and Urs Gasser, found that strict restrictions often undermine trust between children and adults.
According to the report, blanket bans, surveillance tools, and rigid parental controls may push children to hide their online activities, making them less likely to seek help when faced with cyberbullying or harmful content. Researchers argue that such measures ignore differences in age and development, applying one-size-fits-all rules that fail to address real digital behavior.
Instead, the study recommends trust-based approaches, including open communication, easy reporting tools, real-time safety prompts, and integrating digital education into everyday learning. It concludes that children should be treated as active partners in their online safety, rather than passive users subject only to control.