Ministries Agree to Thoroughly Prepare Bill Banning Social Media

Bratislava, 2 April (TASR) - Introducing age restrictions on the use of social media in Slovakia requires a professional approach and responsible preparation, the Investment, Regional Development, and Informatisation Ministry, and the Education, Research, Development and Youth Ministry stated on Friday, in response to the criticism levied on Wednesday (1 April) by the opposition Progressive Slovakia (PS) party, which pointed out that the law doesn't yet exist. Both ministries are taking steps in this regard. "The preparation of the draft law is currently in the working stage. This is a complex issue that requires thorough expert discussion and the responsible design of individual measures so that they are effective yet legally sustainable," the Informatisation Ministry told TASR, adding that it is preparing a draft law on the protection of minors in public and digital spaces, which is also expected to set an age limit of 16 for access to social media. They confirmed that such a proposal can't be prepared via a fast-tracked legislative procedure. "We're working intensively on the bill and will inform the public and the media of its final form in a timely manner," added the ministry. The Education Ministry's communications department told TASR that the ministry is preparing a proposal for measures in this regard that would be practically feasible and provide genuine protection for children. "This is a sensitive and complex issue that requires a professional approach and responsible preparation," they noted. The ministry added that legislation aimed at deradicalization and youth protection, which includes the issue of age restrictions on social media, has been on the legislative agenda since last autumn. "This is therefore not an ad hoc reaction, but a systematically prepared step," they added. The PS party criticised the fact that while specific measures to introduce age restrictions on the use of social media by children and adolescents are already being adopted in Europe, the Slovak government is waiting. "Investment, Regional Development, and Informatisation Minister Samuel Migal (Independent) promised a specific law by the end of March, but it is the first of April and the law is still nowhere to be found. Suddenly, there's silence. Education Minister Tomas Drucker (Voice-SD) hasn't yet presented any specific solutions," noted PS MEP Veronika Cifrova Ostrihonova. am