Over a month ago, I wrote an article on whether Oman should ban social media for kids. “Yes” was my answer, and the opinion was that we in Oman should learn from global experiences and implement thoughtful measures that protect our children without completely disconnecting them from the digital world. Where are we today?
Around the world, governments are beginning to take action after growing concern about cyberbullying, mental health, online predators, misinformation, addiction, and the amount of time children spend glued to their screens.
What started as discussions among parents and psychologists has now become a national policy issue in many countries, including here in Oman. The idea of banning children from social media is no longer just a debate. It’s indeed a mission.
Some countries have already introduced age restrictions and stronger verification requirements, while others are preparing similar legislation. The goal is simple: allow children to enjoy technology without exposing them to risks they may not yet be mature enough to handle. However, introducing a ban is the easy part. Making it work is far more challenging, trust me.
Technology has always found ways around restrictions. We have seen people use Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to bypass blocked websites and services. If a child can download a VPN in a few minutes, geographical or platform restrictions quickly become ineffective. Fake birthdays, borrowed accounts, and weak age verification systems also make enforcement difficult. This means that legislation alone will never solve the problem. A successful social media ban requires every stakeholder to play a role. Yes, a shared responsibility is the need of the hour.
Governments must establish clear laws, define minimum age requirements, require stronger age verification, and impose penalties on platforms that fail to comply. At the same time, regulations should protect children’s privacy and avoid collecting unnecessary personal data. Most countries seem to agree that the age should be a minimum of 16.
Technology companies owning platforms of the likes of Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, etc. must move beyond simply asking users to enter their birthdate. They should also invest in reliable age verification, safer default settings, better parental controls, and artificial intelligence capable of identifying underage accounts while respecting privacy.
Internet service providers and telecommunications companies (Omantel, Ooredoo, Awasr, Vodafone, etc.) can also contribute by supporting family-friendly internet services, providing optional parental controls, and helping families create safer online environments.
Schools have an equally important responsibility, for instance, for teaching students about online safety, cyberbullying, misinformation, digital well-being, and responsible technology use. Preparing children to make good decisions is just as important as restricting access.
Parents remain the most influential factor. No technology can replace conversations at home. Parents should understand the platforms their children use, set healthy screen-time boundaries, encourage offline activities, and build trust so children feel comfortable discussing their online experiences instead of hiding them.
Finally, children themselves must become part of the solution. They should understand that these measures are not about punishment but about protecting their well-being during an important stage of development. When young people understand the reasons behind the rules, they are more likely to respect them.
In my humble opinion, relying solely on legislation won’t work. Combining it with education, family awareness, cooperation from telecommunications providers, and partnerships with technology companies will surely work. When every stakeholder accepts responsibility, protecting children online becomes achievable.
Banning social media for children is not simply about blocking an app. It is about building an ecosystem where all stakeholders work together. Only then can the digital world become a safer place for the next generation. Trust me.
