Czech Republic Considers Ban on Social Media Use for Children Under 15

The Czech government is considering a potential ban on social media use for children under the age of 15, as European countries increasingly move toward tighter regulations aimed at protecting minors online.

Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš said on Monday that he supports restricting access to social media platforms for children, citing growing concerns among experts about the harmful effects of these platforms on young users. 

In a recorded video message published on his official accounts, Babiš described social media as “extremely harmful to children” and stressed the need for decisive action to safeguard their well-being, though he did not provide further details.

Later, Deputy Prime Minister Karel Havlíček told CNN Prima News that the government is seriously examining the proposal. He added that if the plan moves forward, legislation could be introduced later this year to formalize the ban.

The debate in the Czech Republic forms part of a broader and intensifying European discussion on the impact of social media on children and adolescents. 

Several countries, including Spain, Greece, the United Kingdom, and France, are reviewing or proposing stricter controls amid concerns over mental health, online safety, and behavioral development.

Globally, the issue has gained further momentum after Australia became the first country, in December, to ban access to social media for users under the age of 16. 

That move has encouraged other governments to explore similar measures. In Spain, recent proposals have sparked sharp criticism from billionaire Elon Musk, the owner of the social media platform X.

These developments reflect a growing international trend among governments and regulators to reassess screen time and the influence of social media on children’s mental health and overall well-being.