Prague Shopping Centres Switch Off Wi-Fi to Deter Teenagers

A group of shopping centres in Prague have decided to temporarily switch off their wifi in an attempt to stop students from gathering there.

While rules are in place for bars and restaurants, no restrictions have been made on shopping centres. According to some shopping centre managers, this has resulted in young people using these spaces to hang out with their friends.

They believe that the existence of free wifi makes it a more attractive place to spend their time. Petra Valentová, marketing manager of Westfield Chodov, explains that the network will be switched off in all centres of the Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield group, including Černý Most Center, and the Metropole Zličín.

He continued: “We monitor the movement of teenagers and high school students, and in the event of non-compliance with some of the safety rules, we warn customers and seek redress on the spot.”

Prague is under a state of emergency, which means that universities and secondary schools in high-risk areas are now providing distance learning.

Primary schools are still asking students to come in, but with new, tighter restrictions being announced by Czech Health Minister Roman Prymula on Friday, this could change.