Could Switzerland ban children from accessing social media sites?

Specifically, MPs are investigating whether a ban on accessing Tiktok, Instagram, and other social media platforms by school-age children could be beneficial.

In this context, the government will be tasked with studying the possibilities of limiting, or even partially or completely banning, the access to social media platforms for youngsters up to the age of 16.

Green Party MP Céline Vara, one of the deputies who instigated the move, stressed the importance of taking action in this regard.

 “We protect children from cigarettes and alcohol, why not from social media?” she asked.

“We’ve been talking about young people’s mental health for years. It’s good that the legislature is finally taking action,” she added.

Compelling reasons

In a similar motion, Vara’s colleague, Green deputy Maya Graf, is seeking a ban smartphones in classrooms.

She cited scientific evidence that supports her proposal. 

“In recent years, research has shown that smartphones not only disrupt the development of children and adolescents, but also harm their mental health while severely limiting their ability to concentrate and learn,” she said.

Graf went on to quote a study showing that since the introduction of mobile phones, “rates of depression, anxiety disorders, and suicidal thoughts among young people have increased sharply.”

Vara and Graf are not alone in their quest: a recent survey by Tamedia media group indicated showed that 78 percent of Swiss respondents would like to follow this path.

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What’s next?

Based on the parliamentary debates, the Federal Council will be tasked with examining the evidence and deciding whether the ban — either total or limited in scope — should be imposed on social media use, though how exactly it would be implemented is not clear.

As for not allowing phones to be used in classrooms, that would be up to individual cantons, rather than the federal government, to legislate.