Examples for extended responsibility for the young social network users

Overall, the studies on this topic do not show clear or exclusive evidence that social networks directly cause an increase in suicide cases, but it is undeniable that limiting this potential risk is necessary. Possible measures include:

1. Algorithm transparency and regulation

Mandatory transparency reports on what content is recommended to teenagers.
Automatic suppression of explicitly harmful content (self-harm, eating disorder, or suicide-glorifying material).
A "safe mode" algorithm specifically designed for teens

2. Increasing platform responsibility

Platforms must report when a teenager searches for dangerous keywords (e.g., “how to self-harm”).
Platforms must display crisis hotline information.
Significant expansion of moderation resources.

3. Limiting manipulative design (dark patterns)

Removing like-counters for ages 13–16.
Reducing the frequency and intensity of notifications.
Automatically disabling “infinite scroll” for teenage users.

Mandatory digital time limits for ages 13–17 (with parental override).
Automatic disabling of nighttime notifications.

4. Digital resilience education

This helps develop ecosystem-level protective mechanisms:

critical media literacy
algorithm awareness
recognizing comparison traps
strategies for handling cyberbullying
strengthening offline communities

Developing medical and mental health protocols

Family doctors and psychologists should receive training to recognize social-media-related risk signals.
Routine questions about social media usage patterns should be included in assessments.

7. Supporting parental involvement

Easy-to-understand platform reports: screen time, dominant content types, patterns of use.

A parental “dashboard,” but without full surveillance (which could provoke resistance).

8. Strengthening offline communities and support networks

supporting youth community programs
improving school mental health services
providing sports, arts, and community spaces
“digital detox” programs

9. Building research infrastructure

Providing researchers with access to anonymized data

Supporting longitudinal studies
Annual independent audits