Slovak government backs draft to bar under‑16s from social media
Draft approved by the Slovak government would forbid under‑16s from creating social‑media accounts and require age verification compliant with EU rules.
The Slovak government has approved a draft law that would bar children under 16 from using social media platforms, saying the measure aims to curb addiction and limit harmful online influences.
If the bill is passed by parliament, it would prohibit people under 16 from creating social‑media accounts and would require platforms to verify users' ages at the point of account creation, according to documents published on the Slovak government's website.
Proposal details
The texts state that age checks must be implemented without giving service providers access to additional personal data. Verification methods will be designed to comply with EU rules for digital services.
Government papers add that the measure responds to concerns about the expanding role of online technologies and networks in spreading dangerous material: "The proposed legislative initiative responds to the growing role of online technologies and social networks in spreading content of an aggressive, extremist or otherwise harmful nature."
Officials say the initiative is grounded in findings from psychology and neuroscience, which identify adolescence as a critical period for identity formation, development of critical thinking, emotion regulation and social relations.
The draft now moves to the national parliament, where deputies must vote to turn the proposal into law. If adopted, it would represent one of the stricter age‑limit approaches to social media in Europe.
Photo: press material from the event
