Education minister proposes public debate on banning social media for under-15s

Education Minister Krasimir Valchev is set to propose a public debate on banning social media for children under 15, reports BNR correspondent Nezabravka Kirova from Silistra, where the minister officially opened the new gym at the Atanas Burov Professional High School of Business Management, Administration and Services.

• Survey on the use of electronic devices by Bulgarian school children indicates disturbing tendencies

"Prolonged screen time is harmful, and more and more countries are beginning to restrict social media use," Krasimir Valchev told bTV. He explained that abuse of social media hinders the development of the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain associated with skills such as concentration, critical thinking, and planning. "According to research, the harm caused is five times greater than that caused by alcoholism," he added.

Mr Valchev cited data from a study of 89 countries which found that Bulgarian students spend more time in front of screens than students in most other countries. 'We are second in terms of screen time, but first in terms of distractibility,' the minister emphasised.