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Luxembourg ombudsman calls for strict age bans on smartphones and social media

Luxembourg’s Ombudsman for Children and Youth is urging the state to impose strict bans on smartphone and social media access for minors, a call amplified by recent controversies over AI chatbots, specifically Elon Musk’s chatbot, Grok, which vey recently faced significant criticism after users exploited it to generate non-consensual sexualised imagery and child sexual abuse material.

While Luxembourg prefers a coordinated European approach, it is no longer ruling out unilateral measures to restrict adolescent access. OKAJU asserts that state intervention is now urgently needed.

Ombudsman Charel Schmit emphasised that lawmakers must shield young people from the internet’s demonstrable risks, explicitly advocating for prohibitive measures. OKAJU’s specific proposals include a complete ban on screen time for children under three, a prohibition on smartphone ownership until age 15, and a minimum age of 16 for independent social media use. Until that age, the office recommends that adolescents ideally use only internet-free mobile devices.

Also today

• Luxair has once again topped Moovijob’s list of Luxembourg’s 20 most in-demand employers for 2025, with Auchan and national rail operator CFL close behind as job seekers increasingly follow specific companies rather than general vacancies.
• French authorities have banned 10 British far-right activists for actions in France intended to stop migrants crossing to England on small boats, the interior ministry has announced
• The Ministry of Consumer Protection is launching a new social media campaign, enlisting influencers to improve consumer awareness on their rights, after a survey revealed significant knowledge gaps, especially among young people.
• Former US President Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary have declined to appear before a congressional committee investigating their ties to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
• An accident this afternoon in Bangkok has resulted in the deaths of 32 people after a construction crane fell on an express train, travelling at 195 km/h and carrying 195 people.

On air

A VERY controversial opinion this evening........."David Bowie is actually overrated”! Don’t shoot the messenger. Do you agree?

Figure of the day

Administrators sue ArcelorMittal for €7bn over alleged mismanagement of Italian steelworks

• Public administrators of the troubled Taranto steelworks in southern Italy are seeking €7 billion in damages from Luxembourg-based ArcelorMittal, accusing the former owner of mismanagement after the Italian government placed the insolvent plant under state administration in February 2024 to protect thousands of jobs.
• In February 2024, the government of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni placed the insolvent steelworks under state administration to protect thousands of jobs,
  accusing ArcelorMittal of jeopardising the future of the site by halting investment. At the time, the state held 38% of the shares, while ArcelorMittal owned 62%.

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