Slovak government proposes banning social networks until age of 16

Aug 26 (Reuters) - Slovakia's government ‌approved a ​bill ​on Wednesday proposing a ban on use of social networks by children under 16, saying it ‌would help prevent addictive behaviour, social pressure and ⁠radicalisation.

The law, if approved by parliament, will ban setting up social ‌network accounts for younger children ‌and require proving the user's age, according to documents posted on the government's website.

- A report accompanying the ​proposed legislation said: "The proposal reacts to the growing importance of online technologies and social networks in spreading violent, ⁠extremist or otherwise harmful behaviour."

- The report said the decision to set the ​ban on social network usage as up to 16 was based on findings in the fields ​of psychology and neuroscience and ‌international research showing adolescence as a phase of development of identity, critical thinking, emotional regulation ⁠and social relations.

- "In this period, children and younger adolescents are more vulnerable to algorithmic content suggestions, social pressure, manipulative practices, formation ⁠of addictive behaviour, disinformation, radicalisation narratives and other forms of harmful ​content," it said.

- The bill proposes setting a requirement to prove a user's age when setting up a social network account, without providers ‌gaining access to other personal data, the report said. The verification criteria would follow ‌the European Union's digital services rules, it said.

- A growing ⁠number of European countries ‌have announced moves to ​regulate the age of social network users, while some require parental consent.

(Reporting by Jan Lopatka in ‌Prague)

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