Austria Suggests Prohibition of Social Media Access for Kids Below 14, Matches Global Limitations
An increasing number of nations globally are taking action against the negative impacts of social media, especially concerning its effects on the youngest individuals in society. Following significant regulations in Australia and Denmark, Austria is now considering a ban on social media for those under 14 years old, pointing to safety concerns—ranging from cyberbullying and political extremism to addiction and targeted advertising.
The Austrian government has announced that a bill will be presented by the end of June, establishing a mandatory minimum age for accessing social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat. Lawmakers have determined 14 as the age limit based on the legal ability to enter into contracts in Austria, as well as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which designates 14 as the age of digital consent for individuals aged 13 to 16 across Europe.
“What we wouldn’t accept from our children in real life, we should not condone in the online world,” stated Vice Chancellor Andreas Babler in a press release. “On social media platforms, they are subjected to unrealistic beauty standards, glorification of violence, misinformation, and manipulation, while multi-billion-dollar companies neglect their responsibilities, focusing solely on profits and risking the well-being and future of our children—click after click, like after like.”
Recognizing that restrictions alone may not sufficiently protect children online, the new regulations will introduce a new subject in secondary education. Named “Media and Democracy,” it will explore how media influences public opinion, identify disinformation and radicalization, and discuss the effects of media consumption on mental health.
The proposed legislation is anticipated to also specify the method that will be employed to verify individuals’ ages when accessing social media. Currently, there is no fixed date for when the new restrictions would take effect, mainly because the regulations need to receive parliamentary approval.
If successful, it could serve as a model for countries like France and Great Britain, which are developing similar laws. “We are advancing with an EU-wide regulation. The average young person today spends six to seven hours daily on social media,” noted Alexander Pröll, Austria’s state secretary for digitalization. “Let’s restore childhood to our children.”