LDZ: Social Media Regulation Necessary, But Mere Ban Resolves Nothing

Bratislava, 30 November (TASR) – Regulating social networks and artificial intelligence (AI) is essential, but a simple ban will not resolve the problem, Andrej Vrsansky, head of the League for Mental Health (LDZ) declared on Sunday. "It would be great if Slovakia adopted a real solution in this area and did not resort only to a ban, which on its own cannot work on a large scale," he told TASR. Vrsansky believes that banning social networks up to a certain age can improve children's mental health only if extracurricular and community activities aimed at strengthening their wellbeing are developed at the same time. "Without investments in community mental health services, young people will not respect the ban simply because they will not have functional alternatives for spending their free time," Vrsansky warned. Other services based on recovery, a safe environment, and peer or professional support should also be improved and available when young people need them, he noted. He acknowledged that age restrictions on access to social networks, combined with positive activities, could significantly contribute to better mental health among young people. Vrsansky welcomed that President Peter Pellegrini is continuing the discussion initiated by child psychiatrists and other experts regarding recommendations on screen use among children and adolescents. He pointed out that the issue of social network regulation is resonating in many European countries, as well as in Australia and New Zealand. Social networks and AI are risky, he said, because they encourage isolation and weaken the development of real interpersonal relationships. "In this sense, we are observing a rise in mental health problems among young people, and this undoubtedly relates to social networks," he added. At a ceremonial annual review of the Office of the Commissioner for Children on 20 November, Pellegrini called for a professional debate on possible age restrictions for children's access to social networks. He proposed opening a discussion on a potential ban on social network use for children under 13, and for children under 15 with parental consent. mf