More and more countries are riding the wave of caution when it comes to delaying children’s access to social media and tech, from Australia banning children under 16 from using social media to Italy banning smartphones in schools, The Guardian reports. With the US Surgeon General reporting that 95% of teenagers and 40% of 8 to 12 year olds are now on social media, what’s the argument for delaying kids’ inevitable introduction to the online world?

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Mental wellbeing takes a hit: Studies show a correlation between mental health issues and social media, with a recent study from the US Department of Health showing that kids who use social media for more than 3 hours per day face “double the risk of poor mental health, including symptoms of depression and anxiety.” This is particularly concerning since teenagers spend an average of 3.5 hours a day on social media, according to the report.

That’s not where it ends: With increased phone and social media usage contributing to a host of health problems from weakened eyesight, a slower metabolism, disrupted sleep patterns, and poor concentration and cognitive processes. One USC professor said scrolling on TikTok shared “the same fundamental principles that make gambling [...] addictive.”

An attention span-killer for developing brains: Consuming a constant stream of short videos has led to kids struggling to focus on homework, reading and even full-length movies, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing psychiatrists. The prefrontal cortex — the part of the brain responsible for decision making, impulse control, focusing and problem solving — isn’t developed until we’re 25, making TikTok-induced brain disruptions especially harmful.

Do as I say, not as I do: Some of the world’s biggest names in tech limit their childrens' screentime, or ban it altogether. Bill Gates banned his kids from smartphones until they were 14, and Mark Zuckerberg only allowed his children to use screens to chat with their family. Shortly before passing, Apple founder Steve Jobs said that the iPad wasn’t allowed into his home for being “too dangerous for [his kids] in effect.”

So when is the right time to start? A report from the French government recommended a complete ban on screens for kids under three. Shockingly, they recommend that kids only start using phones with internet access from 13 at the earliest, and profit-driven social media — think Instagram and Snapchat — after turning 18.

What can parents do? Setting screen time windows and dedicating more time for family activities outside — like trips, hikes, sports and playing games — can keep kids away from screens and help develop their attention spans. If your children have previously had free reign, you might want to take a gradual approach instead of going cold turkey.

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