With how ubiquitous the Internet is in our daily lives nowadays, outright barring kids from it simply isn’t feasible. They need to learn technological and internet literacy while growing up. However, they shouldn’t be able to browse the internet without restrictions. Their internet should be monitored by parents, subject to strict parental control, and have no access to social media of any kind until at least 16.
Edit as to avoid double posting since I just got an idea
Alternatively, kids could be given access to an intranet with a list of pre-approved educational and entertainment websites with no social interaction features. It’d be like a digital version of those “kid city” job roleplay theme parks; a simulation of the adult internet that preps them for future life, but without the risks inherent in the real thing. It could be set up in a way where more sites become accessible with age too.