Slovakia Moves to Ban Social Media for Children Under 16
The Slovak government has approved a bill proposing a ban on social media use for children under the age of 16, citing risks of addiction, social pressure and radicalisation.
The bill, approved on Wednesday, will prohibit the creation of social network accounts for under-16s and introduce mandatory age verification, according to documents published on the government’s website. The proposal will now go to parliament for approval.
According to an accompanying report, the measure responds to the growing role of online platforms and social networks in spreading violent, extremist and harmful behaviour.
The report said the 16-year threshold was based on psychology and neuroscience findings and international research on adolescence as a critical period for identity formation, critical thinking, emotional regulation and social relationships.
“In this period, children and younger adolescents are more vulnerable to algorithmic content suggestions, social pressure, manipulative practices, formation of addictive behaviour, disinformation, radicalisation narratives and other forms of harmful content,” the report said.
Under the proposal, platforms would be required to verify users’ age at account creation without gaining access to other personal data, in line with European Union digital services rules.
Slovakia joins a growing number of European countries moving to regulate children’s access to social media, with some already requiring parental consent #Slovakia Moves to Ban Social Media for Children Under 16# Spain to Ban Social Media Access for Children Under 16
