“Beyond the Screens: Growing Up With(Out) Social Media”

ICCO Releases New Position Paper on Social Media Bans, Age Restrictions, and Digital Literacy

London/Mumbai, 3 August 2026 – The International Communications Consultancy Organisation (ICCO), the global voice of the public relations and communications profession, today released a new position paper calling for a comprehensive, expert-led and evidence-based approach to protecting young people online, centered on digital literacy, platform accountability and education.

Titled "Beyond the Screens - Growing Up With(Out) Social Media” the paper explores the growing international debate surrounding social media bans and restrictions for children and teenagers. Rather than endorsing or opposing social media bans outright, ICCO argues that the issue is too complex for a single policy solution and should instead be guided by experts in child protection, mental health, education and online safety.

Developed through a global consultation involving communications professionals and ICCO's Public Affairs and Healthcare Working Group, the position paper seeks to guide the communications industry's contribution to the debate, establish a common framework on age restrictions for social media, and advance digital literacy and social media education as key public policy priorities.

"Protecting young people online is one of the defining societal challenges of our time," said Massimo Moriconi ICCO President. "While concerns surrounding youth mental health, online harms, mis/disinformation, and platform design are real and require urgent attention, long-term solutions must address the broader ecosystem in which young people develop, learn and connect."

ICCO's Position on Social Media Bans

ICCO neither endorses nor opposes social media bans as a matter of principle. The organisation believes decisions on age restrictions should be guided by experts in child protection, online safety, mental health and education.

The paper notes that while bans may reduce access in the short term, they could also create unintended consequences, including pushing young people towards less regulated online environments. ICCO encourages policymakers to consider a framework that combines:

• Stronger platform accountability and age-appropriate design
• Greater transparency in content moderation and safety controls
• Labelling and communication of health risks associated with certain social media design practices and problematic patterns of use
• Digital literacy and resilience-building programs
• Multi-stakeholder collaboration involving governments, educators, parents, young people, civil society and industry

Digital Literacy as a Public Priority

A central theme of the paper is the urgent need to consider digital literacy and social media education as foundational life skills and core components of children's education.

ICCO argues that young people must be equipped not only to use technology, but also to understand how algorithms, online influence, mis/disinformation and emerging AI technologies shape their experiences and perceptions.

The organization encourages governments and education systems to consider introducing mandatory digital and social media literacy programmes, tailored to different age groups and developed with input from young people themselves.

The paper highlights successful examples from around the world, including initiatives led by international bodies and national education programmes that integrate media literacy, critical thinking and online safety into school curricula.

Supporting Healthier Digital Futures

ICCO's perspective extends beyond technology itself, emphasising the importance of mental health support, family engagement, community-building and broader wellbeing initiatives.

The organisation advocates for a comprehensive framework that recognises the interconnected relationship between mental health, education, social relationships and digital environments.

As part of its commitment to the issue, ICCO will explore the development of new ethical principles for communications professionals working with social media platforms and digital campaigns.

The Role of Communications Professionals

“While child safety, youth mental health, and online wellbeing must remain the domain of specialist organisations and experts, the communications profession has a responsibility to support informed public discussion, strengthen digital literacy, and bring stakeholders together around shared solutions” affirmed Massimo Moriconi ICCO President.

Through its global network, ICCO and its member organisations stand ready to contribute expertise in strategic communication, stakeholder engagement, education campaigns and behaviour change initiatives that support safer and more responsible digital environments for future generations.

Looking Ahead

ICCO intends the position paper to serve as a foundation for further discussion and collaboration among policymakers, educators, technology companies, civil society organisations, and communications professionals. "Beyond the Screens - Growing Up With(Out) Social Media” can be downloaded at bit.ly/ICCOBeyondtheScreens

About ICCO

The International Communications Consultancy Organisation (ICCO) is the global umbrella body for public relations and communications consultancy associations, representing more than 3,000 PR firms and agencies across the world. ICCO champions professionalism, ethical communications practices, and the advancement of the communications industry globally.

Media Contact
Joulyn Kenny
Global Engagement Manager, ICCO
joulyn.kenny@iccoglobal.com

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