Austria receives over 160 comments on draft ban of social media for under-14s

Austria’s parliament is reviewing a draft that would amend the Audiovisuelle Mediendienste-Gesetz and the KommAustria-Gesetz to prohibit children under 14 from accessing social-media platforms and to curb features that encourage excessive use. More than 160 written statements from NGOs, government agencies and private citizens have been filed, with the Berufsverband Österreichischer Psychologinnen und Psychologen and Pro mente praising the access block as a vital safeguard for young users.

Child-rights groups welcomed the functional-based approach, but the Fachstelle für Suchtprävention VIVID and the ARGE Suchtvorbeugung called for a tiered regime covering 14- to 18-year-olds and regular independent impact assessments. Several bodies, including the Datenschutzrat and the Datenschutzbehörde, warned that the proposed universal age-verification system raises unresolved data-protection questions, while the constitutional service cited a recent French court decision overturning a similar ban. The consultation period ends on Monday, after which the legislation will move forward.