Prague - Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis on Sunday voiced his support for prohibiting social media use by children younger than 15 years, aligning his position with a wave of policy discussions across Europe about tighter limits on minors' access to online platforms.
Speaking in a routine video message distributed on several of his social media accounts on Sunday, Babis said he favoured a ban because of expert opinion he has encountered about the risks to children. He offered no additional specifics on timing or the form any measure might take.
"I am in favour because the experts I know say that it is terribly harmful to children. We must protect our children," Babis said in the video.
Later the same day, the government’s first deputy prime minister, Karel Havlicek, told viewers of a television chat show on the private broadcaster CNN Prima News that the cabinet was treating the idea seriously. Havlicek added that if the government votes to pursue a ban, it would propose legislation during the current year.
The Czech discussion mirrors recent steps and proposals elsewhere in Europe. Spain and Greece each put forward proposals last week to restrict teenagers' use of social media platforms, part of an increasingly stringent approach to the technology amid concerns it may have addictive features and negative effects on young users.
Those measures in Spain drew a public rebuke from Elon Musk, the owner of the X platform, formerly known as Twitter. Britain is also reportedly considering a ban modeled on the Australian law, while France is advancing legislation to bar children under 15 from social media.
Australia in December became the first country to adopt a nationwide prohibition on access to such platforms for those under 16, a milestone frequently cited by governments reviewing their own regulatory approaches. Across jurisdictions, ministers and regulators are examining how screen time and social media exposure might affect children's development and mental wellbeing.
What precisely any Czech proposal would entail remains unspecified by government officials at this stage. The comments from the prime minister and his deputy indicate that Prague could move toward drafting a bill, but formal text, enforcement mechanisms and implementation timelines were not disclosed.