Germany's Greens Push Radical Plan to Curb Kids' Social Media Use
Germany's Greens Push Radical Plan to Curb Kids' Social Media Use
Hessian Greens also want social media ban for children - Germany's Greens Push Radical Plan to Curb Kids' Social Media Use
Germany's Green Party has proposed a 13-point plan to restrict children's access to social media. The measures include age-based rules, stricter platform controls, and expanded education on digital risks. Meanwhile, other parties remain divided over how to address the issue.
Internationally, several countries have already moved forward with similar laws. Australia, the UK, France, Canada, and the EU have all introduced or debated age limits for social media in recent years.
The Greens' plan sets out tiered restrictions by age. Children under 13 would be banned from creating accounts. Those aged 13 to 15 would need parental consent, while under-18s would be shielded from addictive features like endless scrolling or autoplay. The party also wants to introduce 'digital street workers'—specialists who engage with young people online—and expand offline activities to reduce screen time.
Education plays a key role in the proposal. The Greens call for media literacy lessons starting in daycare centres. They also suggest involving young people in designing regulations, ensuring their voices shape the rules. Additional measures include an 'authentic police presence' in digital spaces and stronger counselling for those affected by online harm.
Other German parties have responded differently. The CDU at the federal level backs a 14-year minimum age for social media. The SPD has put forward similar age-restriction ideas. But Bavaria's CSU dismissed the debate entirely, calling a ban unrealistic.
The push in Germany follows wider international action. In November 2024, Australia passed a law banning under-16s from platforms like TikTok and Instagram, set to take effect in 2025. The UK's Online Safety Act, approved in 2023, requires age checks from 2025. France is considering a 15-year minimum through a 2024 bill, while Canada's Bill S-210, passed by the Senate in 2024, mandates age verification. The EU's Digital Services Act, adopted in 2022, also includes age checks, with enforcement rolling out between 2024 and 2025. A 2024 EU proposal on child sexual abuse adds further protections.
The Greens' plan would introduce some of Germany's strictest social media rules for minors. If adopted, it would align with growing global efforts to limit children's exposure to online risks. The debate now turns to whether other parties will support the measures—or propose alternatives of their own.