The suggestion from Greece to introduce new regulations at the EU level aimed at limiting children's access to social media due to the consequences of excessive screen time has garnered significant attention across Europe.

This proposal is gaining traction in Brussels, supported by digitally advanced nations such as France and Spain.

Moreover, Australia has announced a minimum age requirement of 16 years for opening accounts on certain social media platforms, effective later this year.

As the global community seeks to enhance protections for children online, questions arise regarding Serbia's potential response and the feasibility of implementing such restrictions in the country.

Studies indicate that excessive scrolling on social media during formative years can pose serious risks to children.

Research published in various health studies shows that adolescents spending more than three hours daily on social media face double the risk of developing symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Additionally, a study from Yale Medicine highlights that ongoing digital stimulation may disrupt certain developmental functions in teenagers, noting that the brain undergoes significant changes between the ages of 10 and 19, a period crucial for identity and self-worth formation.

In Serbia, existing legal frameworks address child protection online to some extent, including the Law on Protection of Personal Data and the Law on the Foundations of the Education System.

However, only Article 16 of the Personal Data Protection Act directly addresses children's access to digital platforms, stating that children under the age of 15 may use information society services, such as social media, only with parental consent.

Despite this provision, its practical application is limited.

Social media platforms typically do not verify users' actual ages, allowing children to enter false information to bypass legal restrictions.

Consequently, this legal mechanism is often ineffective in providing adequate online protection for minors.

As per internal EU discussions, member states are considering moving forward by establishing a unified 'digital age of consent' within the EU, requiring minors to have parental permission to access social media, thereby preventing automatic access to popular apps like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat.

This raises the question of how Serbia might adopt a similar regulatory model for minors' access to social media.

Psychologist Radmila Grujičić suggests that Serbia should consider implementing stricter access rules for social media.

However, she emphasizes that such measures should be supported by broader systemic efforts involving children, parents, and educational institutions.

She believes that the minimum age for accessing social media should be set between 15 and 16 years, highlighting the issue that children in Serbia are already using social media platforms by the second or third grade without restrictions.

This early exposure can lead to addiction signs and uncritical acceptance of online content.

Concerns are also raised regarding the vulnerability of younger children to manipulation and various risks, including interactions with strangers, exposure to inappropriate content, and potential digital violence.

Grujičić points out that individuals engaged in online criminal activities are likely aware of where to target their efforts—among the youngest users.

She asserts that this should signal a need for more serious regulation of the issue.

While she acknowledges the importance of state intervention through legislation and national strategies, she warns that legal prohibitions will be ineffective without accompanying educational initiatives.

She notes that societal attitudes must shift to ensure the success of any regulatory efforts in Serbia.

In her view, if access to social media were to be restricted without providing alternative activities, children might perceive it as punishment, which could lead to frustration, withdrawal, and even more severe mental health consequences.

To address these concerns, she advocates for a balance between restrictions and investments in other children’s activities—ranging from sports and creative workshops to digital literacy programs and counseling services.

Grujičić calls for national interest in establishing free projects where children can participate in physical training or utilize school facilities for healthy lifestyle promotion.

She discusses the importance of fostering critical thinking from the fifth grade onward, suggesting that this is the period when significant investments in children's educational and social development should occur.

With social media shaping popularity criteria, she emphasizes the need to show children that recognition can come from skill and effort in various domains, such as art or sports.

By providing alternative content and fostering healthy lifestyles and values, children could be encouraged to adapt and explore different interests beyond the digital realm.

In response to whether such measures could realistically be implemented in Serbia, Grujičić states that it is not impossible.

However, she also notes that a serious national campaign is essential to educate the public about the risks and consequences associated with social media use.

She emphasizes the critical roles of parents, schools, and society in navigating this issue.

Before any restrictions are enforced, it is necessary to inform and engage families in discussions, fostering understanding of the importance of such measures—not as punitive actions, but as expressions of care.

Grujičić concludes that while addressing this issue is of national significance, the focus should shift from outright bans to a more selective approach regarding content, alternative options, and creating a supportive social environment for healthier engagement among children.