Austria’s federal government has agreed on a social media ban for children under 14 as well as a reform of upper secondary school curricula (AHS). Starting in the 2027/28 school year, students will receive more instruction in media literacy, democracy, and the use of artificial intelligence. In return, Latin classes will be reduced—though less than originally planned following protests.
At a press conference on Friday, Vice Chancellor Andreas Babler (SPÖ) emphasized the negative effects of social media on young people. He pointed out that age restrictions exist in other areas to protect against harmful substances. Other information providers also have clear rules to shield young people from damaging content. These standards should now also apply in the digital sphere, Babler said.
Draft Law by End of June
Babler outlined three measures through which the government intends to implement and accompany the social media ban for under-14s. The government plans to introduce clear rules for platform operators and continue pursuing an age restriction at the EU level, for example via the Digital Services Act. Media literacy will also be strengthened through the announced curriculum reform. In addition, a rapid national solution is to be developed, “because we are aware that action at the EU level will take time.”
Digital State Secretary Alexander Pröll (ÖVP) announced that a legislative proposal for the technical implementation of the age restriction will be presented by the end of June. The aim is to use modern age verification methods that protect privacy by confirming age without requiring disclosure of personal data. According to Babler, a two-stage model currently being developed at EU level could serve as a blueprint.
The precise timeline remains unclear. Over the summer, the government aims to reach a legally compliant solution, which must then be coordinated with the EU—a process Babler said could take another three to six months. It is also unclear which platforms will be affected. Rather than issuing a fixed list, the government intends to base the scope on functionality. Platforms using addictive algorithms designed to increase user time or that may serve as entry points for pedophiles are expected to fall under the ban.
A real-name requirement, previously demanded by the ÖVP, will not be introduced, government sources told APA. However, stricter enforcement is planned regarding the sharing of existing user data by platforms in cases involving serious offenses, along with enhanced cooperation between platforms and authorities in prosecuting perpetrators.
Curriculum Reform: Less Latin, More Media Literacy
Education Minister Christoph Wiederkehr stressed awareness of “how harmful social media is.” “The conscious use of it must be learned,” he said, adding that schools—alongside parents—must play a central role. A “major curriculum reform” will introduce a new subject in upper secondary academic schools (AHS). Media literacy will also be strengthened in other school types through updated teaching materials and teacher training.
According to ministry documents, schools will be able to decide autonomously whether to offer media literacy as a standalone subject or as part of a subject cluster. Wiederkehr expects that, in most cases, it will become its own subject. The goal is to foster a “healthy, reflective, and critical approach” to media.
In the standard upper secondary timetable, Latin will generally be reduced by two of the previous twelve hours; four hours had initially been planned for removal. In academic secondary schools (Realgymnasien), two hours will also be cut from the second modern foreign language. At the same time, schools will gain greater autonomy. “It is a good compromise because it will work well in practice,” Wiederkehr said. The total number of hours in upper secondary AHS may not increase due to the introduction of the new subject.
Computer science instruction—currently two hours across all four upper secondary years—will be expanded by one hour and supplemented with AI-related content, including understanding how digital systems function and recognizing both their potential and risks.
Following agreement with teacher, student, and parent representatives, it is now up to the coalition partners to formally adopt the compromise, the ministry stated, so that the reform of upper secondary curricula can finally move forward.
