Nearly 90% of Czechs would back limited access to social media for teens

Almost 90 percent of people in the Czech Republic agree with a European Parliament recommendation to restrict young people’s access to social media, according to a February survey conducted by the NMS agency.

More than two-fifths of Czechs would allow access to social networks from the age of 15, while 14 percent believe entry should only be permitted upon reaching adulthood, at 18.

Respondents said an age limit would primarily protect children from inappropriate content and reduce the risk of social media addiction.

At the same time, many acknowledged potential drawbacks to introducing such restrictions. The most frequently cited concerns were the difficulty of enforcing a ban and the ease with which it could be circumvented.

The Czech government has announced it is seriously considering a ban on social media for under 15s.