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A ban on social media for children and young people may soon become a reality in Sweden as well.
Johan Pehrson, Ebba Busch and Ulf Kristersson are expected to start talks on the issue.
– The apps are directly toxic for many young people. We have the same problems in Sweden as they have in Australia, says Pehrson.
The ban on social media for children under 16 in Australia is now being analyzed by ministers in Sweden. Education Minister Johan Pehrson (L) will discuss the issue together with Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M) and Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch (KD).
The three party leaders have recurring meetings in addition to the regular government meetings, meetings where particularly urgent issues can be raised.
Pehrson’s goal is clear – something similar to what happens in Australia must also happen in Sweden.
– We follow this very, very closely. We must take a collective approach to this in the government. We have to deal with these very harmful algorithms on social media platforms, he says.
“The crisis is serious”
The new law in Australia means that children and teenagers under 16 will not be able to create accounts on social media. If platforms such as Tiktok, Snapchat, Facebook, X and Reddit do not succeed in preventing young people from using their services, they can receive multi-million fines.
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full screen Johan Pehrson (L) is open to a ban also in Sweden Photo: Robin Lorentz-Allard
Johan Pehrson is open to introducing a similar ban in Sweden as well.
– Kristen is serious. This applies to young people’s physical and mental health, their school performance and their future prospects. We must be prepared to take whatever action is necessary.
Is 16 a reasonable age limit?
– I don’t want to enter into that discussion. But what is relevant is adolescence or younger adolescence. 16 years is in the middle of adolescence.
Implemented in Australia in one year
Johan Pehrson’s view is that there is agreement in the government and with the cooperation party Sweden Democrats that measures must be taken to stop young people from social media.
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full screenEbba Busch (KD) and Ulf Kristersson (M). Photo: Björn Lindahl
He also sees a growing parental movement for more restrictive mobile use, and that the school is on the way to becoming a mobile-free zone.
When can a ban be introduced in Sweden?
– It may take some time, but I see that Australia decided and then it took a year. We want to look carefully at this, both in terms of age limit and which apps should be covered.
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full screen The age limit for social media can be banned for young people under the age of 16 in Sweden. Photo: Jessica Gow/TT
A counterargument is that a ban could isolate young people, that they do not get access to the positive aspects of social media. How do you see it?
– It is of course important that young people can continue to send text messages to each other and that you can have different forms of messaging apps, which are exempt in Australia. This is about the black holes that pull young people down into the underworld and total darkness with an enormous centrifugal force. It only leads to loneliness in front of a flashing screen.
Aftonbladet has applied for Ulf Kristersson and Ebba Busch.