Experts warn that early social media use may harm children's mental and cognitive health

Child psychologists and health experts caution against allowing children under 13 to access social media, citing risks to their psychological and cognitive growth amid rising concerns from US authorities and research findings.

Mental health and family counsellor Maha Abdel Qader has warned that allowing children to use social media before the age of 13 can pose a serious risk to their psychological and cognitive development. Speaking on the Al Hadath Al Youm programme “Red Line” with presenter Mohamed Mousa, she said children at that stage are still too young to tell real life from the filtered, curated world they see online.

Abdel Qader argued that social platforms can present an artificial version of everyday life that children are unable to assess critically. In her view, that can pull them away from their immediate surroundings and encourage them to build their self-image around a fantasy rather than lived reality.

Her warning is in line with broader concerns from health experts in the United States. A recent Northwestern University study found that many children aged 8 to 12 are already using social media despite the minimum age requirement of 13, and it examined both risks and possible benefits during a sensitive stage of development. The Cleveland Clinic has also linked heavy social media use and exposure to unrealistic expectations with higher levels of anxiety and depression, urging parents to set clear boundaries and monitor use.

The US Surgeon General has likewise cautioned that social media is widespread among teenagers, with up to 95% of 13- to 17-year-olds reporting use of at least one platform. HealthyChildren.org, which is published by the American Academy of Pediatrics, says a large share of teens are on social media almost constantly and recommends careful, mindful use rather than unrestricted access. Abdel Qader drew a distinction between digital tools for learning and entertainment and open-ended social media accounts, saying children under 13 need protection and guidance more than unfettered access.