Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on December 21, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 20, 2026
Add as preferred source on GoogleSwiss Interior Minister considers a social media ban for children, inspired by Australia's recent policy. Discussions on youth online safety to start soon.
ZURICH, Dec 21 (Reuters) - Switzerland must do more to shield children from social media risks, Interior Minister Elisabeth Baume-Schneider was quoted as saying on Sunday, signalling she was open to a potential ban on the platforms for youngsters.
Following Australia's recent ban on social media for under-16s, Baume-Schneider told SonntagsBlick newspaper that Switzerland should examine similar measures.
"The debate in Australia and the EU is important. It must also be conducted in Switzerland. I am open to a social media ban," said the minister, a member of the centre-left Social Democrats. "We must better protect our children."
She said authorities needed to look at what should be restricted, listing options such as banning social media use by children, curbing harmful content, and addressing algorithms that prey on young people's vulnerabilities.
Detailed discussions will begin in the new year, supported by a report on the issue, Baume-Schneider said, adding: "We mustn't forget social media platforms themselves: they must take responsibility for what children and young people consume."
Australia's ban has won praise from many parents and groups advocating for the welfare of children, and drawn criticism from major technology companies and defenders of free speech.
Earlier this month, the parliament of the Swiss canton of Fribourg voted to prohibit children from using mobile phones at school until they are about 15, the latest step taken at a local level in Switzerland to curb their use in schools.
(Writing by Dave GrahamEditing by Ros Russell)
Social media refers to online platforms that allow users to create, share, and exchange content, including text, images, and videos. Popular examples include Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
A ban is a legal prohibition against certain actions or behaviors. In this context, it refers to restricting children's access to social media platforms.
Harmful content includes material that can negatively impact individuals, particularly children, such as violence, bullying, or inappropriate sexual content.
Algorithms are sets of rules or instructions used by computer programs to perform tasks or solve problems. In social media, they often determine what content users see based on their behavior.
Children's welfare refers to the well-being and protection of children, ensuring they grow up in safe environments that promote their physical, emotional, and social development.
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