Slovak Teens Support Regulating Social Media Despite Vowing to Circumvent Bans

Slovak teenagers spend between two and six hours daily on social media platforms and believe networks like Instagram, TikTok, and X should be regulated by law similar to driving or alcohol access, according to a new survey. The qualitative research, conducted by civic organization IPčko in cooperation with Focus agency, used focus groups with 31 respondents aged 13 to 16 across four locations. Despite supporting regulation in principle, the teenagers acknowledged they would find ways to bypass any social media bans if implemented. The findings highlight the complex relationship young people have with social media platforms, recognizing potential harms while remaining heavily engaged with the technology.