BERLIN, Feb 16 (GeokHub) — A group of lawmakers from Germany’s centre-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) has called for stricter limits on children’s access to social media, proposing a formal ban for users under the age of 14.
The proposal aligns the SPD with its conservative coalition partners, increasing the likelihood that Germany’s federal government may pursue tighter nationwide regulations on youth social media use.
Proposed Restrictions
The SPD discussion paper, signed by several party lawmakers and state officials, outlines a tiered system:
- A complete ban on social media access for children under 14
- “Youth versions” of platforms for users aged 14 to 16
- Removal of algorithm-driven feeds, personalized content, autoplay, and endless scrolling features for minors
- Default opt-outs from algorithmic recommendation systems for users over 16
SPD leader Lars Klingbeil, who also serves as deputy to Chancellor Friedrich Merz, said clearer rules are needed to protect young people from harmful content online, including hate speech and violent material.
Growing Political Momentum
The conservatives, led by Merz, have proposed an even stricter measure — a ban for children under 16 — which is expected to be debated at their upcoming party conference.
With both coalition partners advocating restrictions, political momentum is building. However, under Germany’s federal structure, media regulation falls under state authority, meaning Germany’s 16 states would need to coordinate to implement uniform national rules.
Global Debate Intensifies
Germany’s debate mirrors broader international discussions about regulating youth access to platforms such as:
- Meta Platforms (Facebook)
- Snap Inc. (Snapchat)
- ByteDance (TikTok)
- Alphabet (YouTube)
Last year, Australia became the first country to ban social media access for children under 16, prompting policymakers across Europe to consider similar measures.
In Germany, the government previously established a special commission to examine online risks facing young people. Its findings are expected later this year and could influence final policy decisions.
As concerns grow over the psychological and societal impact of algorithm-driven content on minors, Germany may soon join a wave of countries redefining digital boundaries for children.
