The government is to advise parents not to allow their children to sign up for social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok before the age of 15.

Deputy health minister Vincent Karremans is expected to publish official guidance on the use of smartphones, which also includes a recommendation not to buy phones for children until they enter the final year of primary school, aged 11 or 12.

Two weeks ago Karremans dismissed the idea of an outright ban on phones for under-14s, arguing it would be unenforceable.

Children’s advocacy groups such as Unicef Nederland have called for clearer guidance from the government after teenagers themselves said they did not feel properly protected online.

In a survey by the charity, 88% of youths said they used social media but 69% were in favour of banning it, with many saying it was addictive or had an impact on their mental health.

Last week RTL Nieuws reported that a majority of MPs were in favour of banning smartphones in secondary schools throughout the day. The ban would not have legal force, but parties said they supported the plan by D66 MP Hanneke van der Werf to publish guidelines so that “teachers and pupils know where they stand”.

A similar ban has applied in primary schools since the start of the current school year. Teachers have reported improvements in pupils’ concentration and behaviour and said they are talking to each other more since the rules were introduced.