"Under 15s Banned from TikTok" - Can the Dutch Initiative to Disconnect from Smartphones Protect Children's Minds? Dutch Social Media Restrictions and the Global Regulation Battle

1. Introduction: Why the "Free Country" of the Netherlands Stepped In

In the Netherlands, a country strongly associated with "tolerance and freedom," the government's official call for guardians to **"limit TikTok and Instagram for those under 15"** surprised not only Europe but the world. The backdrop to this is the deterioration of mental health and academic performance among teenagers, as well as concerns over the platforms' "attention economy." Although the recommendation is not legally binding, the momentum to "protect children's digital environment" is growing across society, with educational institutions, the medical community, and even the royal family raising the issue.apnews.com

2. Contents of the Recommendation: The New Rule of "20 Minutes of Use, 2 Hours of Outdoor Play"

The guidelines announced by the Dutch Ministry of Health go beyond mere age restrictions.

• Target Age: Under 15s are "principally not to use" TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, etc. Even those over 13 are limited to messaging apps.

• Usage Time: A maximum of 20 consecutive minutes on electronic devices, followed by a recommended 2 hours of outdoor activities.

• Sleep Environment: Prohibition of bringing smartphones and tablets into the bedroom.

• Purpose: To ensure "waiting time" that fosters "digital resilience" and "media literacy."
  These specific figures were formulated based on research by addiction specialists and educational psychologists.apnews.com

3. Background ①: Medical Field Sounds the Alarm, "Smartphone Pandemic"

In May 2025, about 1,400 Dutch doctors and psychologists submitted an open letter to the government calling for a "ban on smartphones for those under 14." The main symptoms they cited include:

1. Sleep Rhythm Disorders

2. Increase in Depression and Anxiety Disorders

3. Deterioration of Vision and Physical Fitness
   Furthermore, Queen Máxima of the royal family publicly stated that "Princess Ariane's vision worsened due to excessive smartphone use," amplifying the social impact.apnews.com

4. Background ②: Global Regulatory Competition

The Netherlands' move is not an isolated one.

5. Current Situation in Japan—The Limitations of "Self-Responsibility" Guidelines

The Ministry of Education's "Principle Ban on Bringing Smartphones and Mobile Phones to School" has become practically ineffective, with the use of LINE and TikTok spreading even among elementary school students. There are frequent occurrences of dark part-time job recruitment and fake news spreading, and a survey indicates that about 70% of bullying originates from SNS. On the other hand, there is no legal regulation, and discussions on amending the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications' "Youth Internet Environment Improvement Act" are at a standstill.watch.impress.co.jpresemom.jp

6. Reactions on SNS - "Regulation is inevitable" vs. "Full of loopholes"

Proponents (about 60% *according to author's calculation)

• "Just like game time regulation, I fully support the government setting boundaries."

• "15 years old is compulsory education. It's necessary to protect the right to learn."

Skeptics (about 40%)

• "There's no point if age is faked using VPN."

• "Instead of banning, media education is needed. Banning widens the 'information gap'."
  Reports from English RTÉ and AFP were retweeted over 10,000 times on X (formerly Twitter), and in Japanese posts, voices such as "Japan should follow suit" and "First, fix the SNS addiction of the parent generation" were observed.x.com

7. Expert Perspective - Japan should adopt a dual approach of "design intervention" and "parent education"

Associate Professor Ayako Ito of Keio University (Media Psychology) shared her thoughts in an interview with this magazine.

"It's not a choice between prohibition or freedom,but rather modifying the platform's gambling-like reward designand simultaneously learning media literacy with parents and children as a 'double approach' is key."
Technically, the introduction of age verification APIs like BlueCheck and 'Pomodoro-style' rhythm control of AI feeds are proposed. Additionally, lawyer Yudai Oe advocates for a Japanese version of the Kids Online Safety Act (tentative name) focusing on "trust obligations for minor influencers' earnings" and "automatic data deletion rights."creatorzine.jpsciencedirect.com

8. Conclusion - "Digital Well-being Charter" in Japan too

What the Netherlands' recommendation indicates isan attempt to reclaim "time for children" as a society. Instead of focusing solely on regulation,

1. "environmental design" of usage time and place

2. "technical hurdles" like age verification

3. "learning opportunities" for parents and schools

4. "addiction prevention design" by platforms
   —all four layers need to be arranged simultaneously.The results of the survey on Japanese youth's internet usage, scheduled for the fall of 2025, are being closely watched to see if they will lead to specific legislative processes.