The article explores the multifaceted role of social networks like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube as powerful tools for global dissemination of news, entertainment, and communication. It emphasizes their potential benefits when used responsibly for the common good, enabling societies to tackle contemporary challenges effectively. However, it warns of the significant negative consequences of indiscriminate use, particularly concerning human rights and the well-being of minors under 16.

Among the various risks highlighted, the article points to the adverse effects on mental health, the rise of digital addictions, and the inadequate protection of personal data. These issues create an environment where vulnerable groups, especially children, may suffer from various psychological and social complications stemming from excessive use of these platforms. The implications of these findings resonate deeply in today’s digital age, given the growing reliance on social media in everyday life.

The article also addresses the specific challenge posed by minors’ access to social networks, a concern that has become increasingly critical for modern societies. With the ubiquity of mobile phones, the age at which children engage with social media continues to drop, raising urgent questions about their safety and the adequacy of existing regulations to protect this demographic from possible harms associated with online engagement. As the digital landscape evolves, so too must the strategies and measures to safeguard the rights and health of young users.