GERMAN DIGITAL MINISTER SIGNALS SUPPORT FOR BANNING KIDS FROM SOCIAL MEDIA

Fri 26 December 2025:

German Minister for Digital Affairs Karsten Wildberger has expressed openness to introducing a ban on social media use for children, similar to recent measures adopted in Australia, the German news agency dpa reported on Friday.

Wildberger told dpa that restricting children’s access to social media platforms was “more than justified,” pointing to growing evidence of the profound impact social media has on young people’s development.

He said policymakers needed to consider how to ensure children could grow up in a healthy way, comparable to earlier generations who developed without social media, adding that the appropriate minimum age would require careful discussion.

Wildberger also advocated a stricter approach in educational settings, arguing that the ability to focus for one or two hours without being distracted was a basic prerequisite for children’s development. Providing young people with regular periods free from distractions was not only reasonable but something society owed to them, he said, adding that teachers’ views should play a central role in the debate.

The German government has set up an expert commission on Child and Youth Protection in the Digital Age, which is expected to present recommendations by the summer. Its work includes proposals on age limits for social media use and the debated issue of banning mobile phones in schools.

A survey conducted by the institute INSA on behalf of the Bild newspaper earlier this month found that 60 percent of Germans support banning social media use for children under the age of 16, while around a quarter of respondents opposed such a move.

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The big recent development is Australia, which in December 2025 became the first country to enforce a strict nationwide ban: no one under 16 can have accounts on major platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Snapchat, X, or Reddit. Platforms must block underage users or face huge fines—no parental consent allowed.Several other countries are following suit or planning similar restrictions:

Malaysia will ban under-16s starting January 2026.
Denmark and Norway are advancing bans or limits around age 15.
Parts of Europe (France, Spain, Italy) and some US states (like Florida, banning under-14s and requiring consent for 14-15) have tougher rules or parental consent requirements.

The EU encourages strong age verification and minor protections under the Digital Services Act but has no EU-wide ban yet—though Parliament has discussed raising the minimum to 16.Overall, momentum is growing to restrict kids’ access due to concerns over mental health, addiction, and harmful content, but a true global ban doesn’t exist—it’s country-by-country, with Australia leading the way.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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