More than 80% of children in grades 1–3 of primary school in Poland regularly watch YouTube, and half are already using social media platforms — according to the latest research by the Empowering Children Foundation (Fundacja Dajemy Dzieciom Siłę, FDDS). Alarmingly, one in four is already publishing their own content online.
Under current regulations, social media users must be at least 13 years old — which means the vast majority of these children should not even have access. The study confirms that age verification on digital platforms is ineffective — and experts argue the current limit should be raised to at least 15.
“If we want to ensure children’s safety, we must focus primarily on social media platforms, because that’s where they spend most of their time — often below the legal age of 13,”
says Łukasz Wojtasik from FDDS.
7–9 year olds already deep in the digital world
The FDDS survey of 22,000 children aged 7–9 — who theoretically should have no access to communicators or social media — reveals the scale of the problem:
- 50% use social media (despite the 13+ rule)
- Over 50% use WhatsApp
- 33% have accounts on TikTok and Messenger
- More than 60% have encountered disturbing or negative content
Social media is structurally unsafe for children
“Social media platforms are not safe — neither for children nor for teenagers or even adults,” explains Wojtasik.
“The difference is that adults have fully developed brains and self-control. Young children do not — and they lose to algorithms.”
Experts warn that short-form video formats (TikTok, Reels, Shorts) are highly addictive. The rapid reward loops and dopamine spikes create what is now being described as short video addiction. In addition, content is often violent, sexual or vulgar.
FDDS campaigns to raise the social media age limit to 15
The Foundation is advocating for the minimum age to be raised from 13 to 15 — presenting 15 reasons for this change. Their research shows that intensive social media use is linked to higher rates of anxiety, depression, loneliness and low self-esteem, especially among teenage girls.
Social media can:
- Disrupt identity formation and emotional development
- Expose children to strangers and digital predators
- Increase risks of hate, manipulation, radicalization and sexual exploitation
“It is our duty as adults to protect children, but also to expect platforms to redesign their mechanics, enforce age verification, and stop exposing young users to harmful content,” says Wojtasik.
Law, education, and parental responsibility must act together
The campaign has two goals:
- Raise parents’ awareness and equip them to prepare children for digital life
- Push for legal changes — forcing platforms to implement real age verification and block underage access
Current legal frameworks (like the EU’s GDPR and US COPPA) set the 13+ rule only for data protection purposes — not based on child development or psychological safety.
According to experts, 15 is the earliest moment when most young people begin to develop the cognitive and emotional resilience needed to navigate social media without serious risk.
15 is a minimum — not a guarantee
“We are not claiming that social media becomes safe at 15,” Wojtasik stresses.
“We propose a competency-based checklist for parents. Some children may be ready at 15, others only at 16 — but 13 is definitely too early.”
This aligns with official guidelines of the Domowe Zasady Ekranowe (Home Screen Rules) program:
- No screens before age 3
- No smartphone before age 12
- No social media before age 15
Yet in practice, 66% of 7–9-year-olds already own a smartphone.
