Earlier this month, Australia banned children and teenagers under the age of 16 from using social media, with $1 million fines for big tech companies that don’t block young people’s accounts.
The Swiss Minister of the Interior, Elisabeth Baume-Schneidersaid this Sunday, 21, that the country could be the next to adopt stricter measures regarding the online protection of children and adolescents, particularly with regard to social networks. In an interview with a local media outlet, Baume-Schneider said authorities needed to take a closer look at what should be reserved for minors.
The minister’s speech follows a movement of leaders who have already positioned themselves after the Australia officially bans children under 16 from using social media. The country was the first in the world to adopt this measure and raised the debate on the use of these platforms by children and adolescents.
“The debate in Australia and the European Union is important. It must also be carried out in Switzerland. I am open to a ban on social media,” said the minister. “We need to better protect our children.”
In Australia, the government ordered, on December 10, that social networks like Instagram, TikTok, Youtube and Facebook have blocked the accounts of minors under the age of 16, under penalty of a fine of 33 million dollars in the event of non-compliance with the law.
Inspired by what has been achieved in Australia, Baume-Schneider added that the government must be aware of potentially harmful content for children and adolescents on networks, such as posts and interactions on these platforms. The minister also indicated that meetings to discuss this issue will take place starting next year.
“We cannot forget the social media platforms themselves: they must take responsibility for what children and young people consume,” he said.
After Australia’s ban, countries like New Zealand, Denmark, Malaysia and Albania are already planning to start meetings to adapt Australian law to their own countries.
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