Austria is rushing to implement the ban as early as this summer.
In Austria, social media will be banned for children under 14 years old. A new bill will be prepared by June, announced Secretary of State Alexander Prell, who is responsible for digitalization issues. The decision on the new law was made after lengthy negotiations within the three-party ruling coalition, AFP reports.
Parental control over the content their children consume on social media is "almost impossible," and the platforms create addiction among them, said Vice Chancellor Andreas Babler at a press conference.
Additionally, the government in Vienna plans to introduce a new mandatory subject in schools called "Media and Democracy." Its aim is to help students distinguish between truth and lies in information streams, as well as to recognize attempts at anti-democratic influence.
Authorities in France, Spain, and Denmark also intend to ban teenagers from accessing social media. In Germany, the Social Democratic Party, which is part of the ruling coalition, and Chancellor Friedrich Merz have expressed support for this initiative.
