Austria bans addictive social‑media features for under‑14 users

Austria's Digitalisation State Secretary Alexander Pröll announced a draft law that will forbid addictive mechanisms on social‑media platforms for anyone under 14. The measure specifically targets TikTok, Instagram and Facebook, while YouTube will also be subject to the age limit; WhatsApp and similar messaging services are excluded.

The law proposes that platforms failing to enforce the rule could be fined up to six percent of their global annual turnover, amounting to potential penalties of billions of euros. Enforcement will be handled by the regulator KommAustria, which will oversee a verification system based on certified third‑party providers that confirm a user’s age without revealing personal data.

Pröll said Austria is pursuing a national solution rather than waiting for an EU‑wide approach, arguing that immediate action is needed to protect children from excessive screen time and harmful content.