Slovakia proposes ban on social media for children under 16

The Slovak government has approved a legislative proposal that would prohibit children under the age of 16 from using social media platforms. The government stated that the measure is intended to help prevent internet addiction, mitigate social pressures, and curb radicalization among young people.

According to documents released by the government, the proposed law, if enacted by parliament, would forbid the creation of social media accounts for younger children and mandate age verification for all users. The accompanying report highlights the growing influence of online technologies and social media in disseminating harmful content, including violent, extremist, and other damaging behaviors.

The decision to set the age limit at 16 is reportedly based on findings from psychology and neuroscience research. These studies suggest that adolescence is a critical period for identity formation, the development of critical thinking, emotional regulation, and social relationships. During this phase, children and younger adolescents are considered more vulnerable to algorithmic suggestions, peer pressure, manipulative tactics, and the spread of misinformation and radicalizing narratives.

The draft legislation also proposes establishing a mandatory age verification process for opening social media accounts, with verification criteria aligned with the European Union's Digital Services Act rules. Several European countries have recently announced measures to regulate the age of social media users, with some requiring parental consent for minors.