JAKARTA - The Swiss government needs to do more to protect children from the risks of social media. This was said by the Swiss Minister of the Interior, Elisabeth Baume-Schneider, on Sunday, December 21. This indicates that he is open to the possibility of banning the platform for young people.
Following Australia's recent ban on social media for children under 16, Baume-Schneider told the SonntagsBlick newspaper that Switzerland should consider a similar move.
"The debate in Australia and the European Union is very important. The debate must also be held in Switzerland. I am open to a social media ban," said the minister, who is a member of the center-left Social Democratic Party. "We have to protect our children better."
He said that authorities needed to examine what should be restricted. This includes options such as banning children from using social media, limiting harmful content, and addressing algorithms that exploit young people's vulnerabilities.
Detailed discussions will begin in the new year, supported by reports on this issue. "We must not forget the social media platforms themselves: they must be held accountable for what children and adolescents consume," said Baume-Schneider, quoted by VOI from Reuters.
The ban in Australia has been praised by many parents and groups supporting child well-being. But it has also drawn criticism from major tech companies and free speech advocates.
Earlier this month, the parliament of the Swiss canton of Fribourg voted to ban children from using mobile phones at school until the age of around 15. It is the latest move at the local level in Switzerland to restrict their use in schools.
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