The most recent youth study has clearly shown that even our boys themselves speak an age limit in the use of social networks. The greens have now made a corresponding application in parliament – which was not approved. ÖVP Youth Minister Claudia Plakolm is also clearly against it.
As the first country in the world, Australia decided in the previous year a ban on the use of social media for young people under the age of 16. In France, the government is currently a law that only allowed social media from the age of 15 – with active approval of parents for minors. And in Austria? There was at least once a first application.
“Legal No Man’s Land”
The spokeswoman of Green Youth Barbara Neßler submitted an application for the legal introduction of a minimum age of 16 years for the use of social media platforms and binding age controls to protect young people in digital space in the plenary session of parliament on Friday. Protection of children and young people should not end on social media, the Greens believe.
Because although there are clear age limits for alcohol, cigarettes and gambling, there is still legal no -man’s country in the digital space. With dramatic consequences, according to Neßler: “Social media recommendation algorithms seduce young users with extreme content of Islamist, right -wing radical or sexist and threatened our children.”
As the most recent youth study arose, 85 percent of 16 to 25-year-olds even speak for an age limit from the age of 16- This is a loud call for the help of a generation that has long recognized what politics ignores. “Social media must finally be subject to legal protection regulations for minors – with clear age limits, effective control over the algorithm and real consequences for platform operators.” Who earn billions with this content. At the expense of our children.
Plakolm for “strict rules”
In any case, Neßler’s application was not approved in parliament. At the request of the “Krone”, the responsible ÖVP minister Claudia Plakolm explains: “In my opinion it costs two things: media literacy for our young people and strict rules and consequences for the platforms themselves. Social media are very natural in the lives of young people. The platforms are prepared for the content that our young people see.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
