A major new poll shows almost all Swiss residents want stronger protection for minors online, as a Los Angeles jury this week found Meta and Google negligent for designing platforms harmful to young people.
A survey by polling firm GfS Bern for the Mercator Foundation found that 94% of Swiss respondents believe minors need better protection from the damaging effects of social media. The poll covered around 1,000 Swiss residents aged 16 and above. It was published Sunday in newspaper SonntagsZeitung, days after neighbouring Austria announced a social media ban for children under 14.
The numbers go further than just child safety. A separate finding shows 78% of respondents believe large technology firms have too much influence over public opinion. Swiss Interior Minister Elisabeth Baume-Schneider has said she is open to a potential ban on social media for young people. Her government is already drafting legislation to make major online platforms more transparent and accountable.
The Swiss survey comes at a moment when pressure on Big Tech is building fast. On Wednesday, a Los Angeles jury found Meta and Google negligent for designing social media platforms that cause harm to young users. Legal experts say the verdict will set a strong precedent for dozens of similar cases now moving through courts worldwide.
Europe is increasingly moving in one direction on this issue. Austria announced its under-14 ban last Friday. Switzerland is now signalling it could follow. Australia, Indonesia, Spain, and the UK are all pursuing or have already passed comparable restrictions.
Platforms operating across Europe face a growing wave of regulation, public pressure, and legal liability that shows no signs of slowing down.
Switzerland survey finds 94% of residents support tougher social media rules for minors, as Meta and Google face negligence verdict in the United States.
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