Finland’s Potential Social Media Ban: Design vs. Regulation
Imagine a world where teens can’t log onto TikTok or scroll through Instagram during lecture breaks. This may soon hit Finland, as the nation considers implementing a strict, Australia-inspired social media ban for children. But is limiting access by age really the solution? Or is the design of these platforms the real culprit that needs to be addressed?
The Global Debate: Can Age Limits Solve the Problem?
Finnish lawmakers are diving into the murky waters of social media restrictions, drawing inspiration from Australia, where minors face strict legal barriers to accessing platforms like TikTok and Facebook. The rationale behind these measures often lies in concerns over mental health, online safety, and reducing harmful interactions. But while such a policy might appear to be a direct solution, experts and watchdog organizations aren’t so sure it tackles the root cause.
“Age limits have always been a blunt instrument,” says Helena Moilanen, a Helsinki-based tech policy researcher. “Young users are incredibly tech-savvy. If they want to skirt the rules, they’ll find VPNs or fake credentials. The fundamental issue is not who’s using these platforms but how they’re designed to manipulate the behaviors of their users, regardless of age.”
The Real Issue: Predatory Design Choices
Critics increasingly point the finger at the manipulative design features integral to social media platforms — endless scrolling, algorithmic feeds engineered for addiction, and monetized outrage. These features don’t just encourage overuse; they make it nearly impossible for any user, young or old, to navigate the digital world healthily.
Snapchat streaks, for example, incentivize daily usage through the psychological fear of losing progress or digital connections. Instagram’s algorithm prioritizes flashy, controversial, or highly polished content, leaving even adults questioning their self-worth. It’s these deliberate design features that amplify the underlying problems of mental health and self-esteem that policymakers aim to solve.
“It’s like designing candy that’s addictive to both kids and adults, and then banning it only for kids,” explains Nora Jansson, a child psychologist working with Finnish families affected by social media addiction. “The platforms may label it as a parenting issue, but their systems are rigged to make moderation almost impossible. The focus needs to shift to the design.”
Why Australia’s Model Has Its Limits
In 2021, Australia introduced stringent age verification processes for social media entry. Companies were required to implement mechanisms to confirm users’ ages and restrict minors from accessing their platforms without parental consent. While early reports suggest reduced screen time for younger demographics, critics argue this has done little to address the core mechanisms that make these platforms so harmful.
Additionally, privacy advocates have raised alarm bells about collecting and storing sensitive data, like IDs or biometric information, to enforce these policies. The unintended consequence of over-policing? Vulnerabilities to hacks and identity theft while still leaving design flaws untouched.
“These bans risk being both ineffective and invasive,” warns Riku Salo, a Finnish data privacy consultant. “The larger issue here isn’t minors breaking the rules — it’s how these platforms manipulate everyone, often with little oversight.”
The Way Forward: Tech Accountability Over Bans
If bans aren’t the answer, then what is? Advocates argue that governments should focus their energy on demanding redesigns of addictive or harmful features at the source. This could mean outlawing infinite scroll, requiring transparency in algorithmic curation, or limiting push notifications.
In 2023, the European Union set an important precedent through its Digital Services Act (DSA), mandating tech giants to provide users with the ability to turn off algorithmic feeds entirely. Some analysts believe Finland should leverage its position within the EU to push social media companies further toward responsible practices, forcing design changes that benefit all users, not just teens.
Another approach could involve funding studies and education campaigns aimed at digital literacy. “Instead of blanket bans, we need to teach young people — and their families — how to coexist with social media responsibly,” suggests Moilanen. “We can’t just legislate the problems away; we need to start empowering users instead of infantilizing them.”
The Road Ahead: Watching Finland’s Next Steps
Finland’s debate comes at a time where nations worldwide are grappling with how to balance innovation and the digital rights of young people with their safety. From the U.S. to India, calls to regulate Big Tech are growing louder. If Finland adopts sweeping measures similar to Australia’s, it might set a precedent for Europe — for better or worse.
However, policymakers would do well to consider what truly benefits users: targeting the platforms’ predatory practices rather than restricting access entirely. The conversation has begun to shift from a simplistic focus on age to a broader critique of social media’s design. A true solution may well lie not in who gets to use these tools, but in how they’re built and operated.
For now, all eyes are on Finland. Will it follow Australia’s footsteps, or pave its own path toward meaningful reform? As this debate unfolds, both users and lawmakers around the globe should be taking notes—because the issue of ethical social media design isn’t going away anytime soon.
