Government is planning a age limit for social media: protection for young people!
Government is planning a age limit for social media: protection for young people!
After the tragic killing spree in Graz, the protection of young people on the Internet is increasingly in the focus of the Austrian federal government. The debate about possible age limits for the use of social media is increasingly gaining intensity. The government is planning a decision on these age limits, which may already be made on Wednesday in the Council of Ministers. It remains unclear whether the age limit should be located at 14, 15 or 16 years. Barbara Neßler, the children's and youth spokeswoman for the Greens, emphasizes that it is important to protect younger generations from the risks of social media. It compares this protection with existing age restrictions on alcohol and tobacco and at the same time demands strengthening media literacy in young people.
SPÖ State Secretary Jorg Leichtfried also speaks for a rapid legal regulation and Max Lercher, the Styrian SPÖ state party leader, describes social media as a danger that a minimum age with reliable age controls. Different views can be seen within the government: While the ÖVP rejects a general ban and relies on media literacy, the NEOs advocate a solution.
support from experts and international role models
Support for the introduction of an age limit also comes from the Federal Minister of Justice Stefanie Hubig, who emphasizes the importance of such regulations for the protection of the privacy of children and their healthy development. Hubig points out that children and young people need more protection than pressure to self -expression. The first positive experiences from other countries show that a minimum positive effect on children and adolescents in schools can have a reduction in bullying and an increased level of concentration.
international role models such as Australia, which was the first country to determine an age limit for the use of social media, demonstrate the possible benefits of such regulations. The Australian approach only allows the use of social media from the age of 16. In Europe, countries such as France, Greece, Spain and Belgium also call for the introduction of a minimum age for social media.
media use of young people
A current study from Germany shows that almost all young people between the ages of 12 and 19 are connected to the Internet. Almost 95% of those surveyed use the Internet every day. The most popular social platforms are Instagram and Tikok, which play a central role in the life of many young people.
Alter
| daily internet use Th> | |
---|---|---|
12-13 years | 94% | 95% |
14-15 years | 95% | 95% |
16-17 years | 97% | 95% |
18-19 years | 99% | 95% |
These figures illustrate the widespread use of digital media among young people. Nevertheless, studies show that many young people also suffer under pressure for self -expression. Social media have a strong influence on personal identity and social comparison, which underlines the need for media literacy and critical examination of content. Experts see the responsibility for age verifications, especially among platform operators, who have often not adopted adequate control.
In summary, the latest events and the associated discussions include a strong need for specific measures for effective protection of minor in digital space. The Austrian government faces the challenge of creating uniform framework conditions that meet the needs of young people and at the same time protect them from the dangers of unregulated use of social media.
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Ort | Graz, Österreich |
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