Austria to ban social media for children under 14

Friday 27 March 2026 - 11:00

The Austrian government has announced plans to prohibit children under the age of 14 from using social media platforms, following extensive negotiations within the ruling coalition.

The measure aims to protect young users from online risks, particularly the addictive nature of social networks, which can be difficult for parents to monitor. Vice-Chancellor Andreas Babler emphasized that these platforms are intentionally designed to engage children and make them reliant on constant interaction.

As part of the initiative, Austria plans to introduce a mandatory school subject called “Media and Democracy,” designed to help students identify misinformation and recognize attempts at undemocratic influence.

Several other European Union countries, including France, Spain, and Denmark, have already indicated intentions to implement a digital age limit for social media, while others are actively considering similar measures.