Youth protection important

Cell phones are increasingly given as First Communion gifts

State Youth Councillor Michael Lindner (SPÖ) and Christa Packer, Head of the Youth Group at the state.

(Bild: Denise Stinglmayr)

There are even more facets to the protection of young people: cyberbullying and dealing with social media are seen as particular challenges. In this context, the State Youth Councillor Michael Lindner is also calling for stricter and clearer federal rules.

Alcohol, smoking and drugs used to be the classic issues that youth protection had to deal with. "However, the challenges have become more complex and reflect the complexity of our digitally networked world," says Michael Lindner, Member of the Youth Council. One indication: "Around every second child is given a smartphone for their first communion," says Christa Packer, Head of the Youth Group at the provincial government.

Age limit required
The consequences: More and more advice sessions, information folders and workshops are being held on social media, cyberbullying and online games. 473 talks and workshops were held last year alone, and the trend is rising. Also because there are always new developments and dangers. According to Lindner, easy access to sexual content and games that require a lot of money to get better (insert coin to continue) are a particular problem for young people.

Online and mobile games are an area about which even more information needs to be provided in future. Clear federal rules are needed here.

Jugendlandesrat Michael Lindner (SPÖ)

"The federal government must find a regulation here. Because technically it would be no problem to introduce an age limit," he says. However, Lindner also makes it clear that it is primarily up to parents to point out dangers and problems to children.