Austria’s government has announced plans to introduce a ban on social media use for children under the age of 14, as part of efforts to address growing concerns over online safety.
The proposal, backed by the country’s ruling coalition, aims to protect minors from addictive algorithms and harmful content, including exposure to inappropriate or abusive material. Officials said the measure is intended to reduce the negative psychological and social effects associated with early social media use.
While the government has agreed on the principle of the ban, key details—including enforcement methods and implementation timelines—have not yet been finalized. Draft legislation is expected to be prepared by the end of June.
Authorities indicated that the ban may not target specific platforms directly but instead focus on services deemed harmful based on their algorithmic behavior and content risks.
The move follows similar actions globally, as governments increasingly explore stricter regulation of social media access for younger users amid rising concerns over mental health and digital well-being.
