March 31, 2026, 2:33 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
Austria aims to act faster than other countries on the issue of social media for children. While discussions continue at the European level, the government is already announcing concrete steps. A draft law is expected to be presented by summer 2026. The goal is to ban the use of social networks for children and adolescents under 14 years old. With this, the country is taking its own path and not waiting for a joint solution within the EU.
The debate over such a ban remains controversial. Supporters see it as an important protection for minors. Critics, however, doubt that a ban will actually be effective. Nevertheless, more and more countries are looking to international examples. Australia, in particular, set a precedent with a similar regulation in December 2025, which garnered worldwide attention.
Draft Law to Be Ready by June 2026
The Austrian government wants to implement its plans promptly. According to a report by “Golem,” the draft law should be available by the end of June 2026 at the latest. The core of the regulation is a two-step age verification for social media. This is intended to ensure that children under 14 do not have access to the platforms.
Importantly, the age verification should work without storing personal data. Vice Chancellor and Media Minister Andreas Babler emphasizes that they no longer want to stand by and watch as social networks negatively impact children.
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The planned ban is not directed against individual providers. Instead, the government wants to establish certain criteria that apply to all platforms. This includes, among other things, the use of algorithms designed to keep users engaged with content for as long as possible.
Services that could expose children to sexualized violence are also to be covered by the regulation. However, it remains unclear how the government intends to prove such violations concretely. It is also uncertain how providers will be held legally accountable.
In addition to the ban, Austria is also focusing on prevention. The government plans to specifically strengthen the media literacy of children and adolescents. This topic is to be more firmly anchored in school curricula to better prepare young people for digital challenges. Content related to artificial intelligence will also play a role. To make room in the schedule, it is planned to slightly reduce the scope of foreign language instruction.
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EU Plans Remain Open
Austria generally supports the EU’s plans for a unified regulation. However, the government does not expect a quick implementation. Therefore, the country intends to act independently.
Similar considerations are also being made in Germany. Family Minister Karin Prien also promises a national solution if the EU takes too long. At the same time, she assumes that Brussels could soon present concrete regulations.