In this ultra-connected world, “should social networks be banned for minors under 16?” While Australia is about to do so, in Switzerland, out of more than 13,200 people questioned as part of a “20 Minuten/Tamedia” survey, 78% believe that a legal minimum age should be decreed for using TikTok, Facebook or Instagram. Even more striking, the desire to ban such platforms to young people under 16 exceeds 74% in all age categories, ranging from 18 to over 65.
If there is no difference between men/women and town/country, from the PS to the UDC, more than 72% are for such a restriction. Supporters of the Greens are the most favorable (84%), and supporters of the PLR, the least favorable (72%). After weighting by the LeeWas polling institute, which carried out the survey in November, the margin of error stands at 2.2%.
A worrying addiction
The “problematic” use of social networks is on the rise among young Europeans, who are also more likely to be at risk of developing a gaming addiction, the World Health Organization warned in September. Symptoms include inability to control excessive use, feelings of lack, and abandonment of other activities in favor of social media.
“I could very well imagine myself launching an initiative in this area,” reacted the center’s national advisor Regina Durrer, who was delighted with the results of the survey. Currently, the age limit for surfing social media varies depending on the platform. On Instagram and TikTok, for example, it’s 13 years, even if you can theoretically register earlier. The elected official is also already in contact with different organizations.
His colleague from the same party, Dominik Blunschy, is opposed to a state ban. The Schwyz resident believes that this would be difficult to implement, which is why he would rather lean towards “stricter authorization rules in schools, or temporal or functional restrictions”.
For socialist Matthias Aebischer, a trained educator, “a ban does not solve the problem”. “We must instead teach young people to use electronic devices wisely,” explains the Bernese national councilor. As for the St. Gallen SVP Mike Egger, aged 32, the latter maintains that banning social networks to young people “is not a task of the State, but is the responsibility of parents”.
