German Digital Minister Supports Banning Social Media for Children

German Digital Minister Carsten Waidelberger expressed his support for imposing strict restrictions on children’s use of social media, potentially including a complete ban. He emphasized the importance of protecting young users from the negative effects of these platforms on their early development and well-being.

Waidelberger told the German Press Agency (dpa) from Berlin that the debate over setting a minimum age for social media use has become justified and necessary, citing studies that show the impact of these platforms on children’s concentration and mental health.

The minister, a member of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), noted that previous generations grew up in an environment free of these applications, which allowed them to develop focus and social interaction skills without intense digital influence. He aims to preserve this advantage now through regulatory restrictions.

Waidelberger explained that the German government has formed an expert committee to protect children and adolescents in the digital world, including specialists in medicine and digital education. The committee is expected to present its recommendations before next summer, which may include setting a legal minimum age for social media use and potentially imposing additional restrictions within schools.

This move comes as the impact of digital technology on children has become a widely debated issue in Europe and worldwide, with countries like Australia adopting similarly strict policies to limit minors’ access to platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.

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