Lower Saxony parliament: Calls for social media ban up to age 14 grow louder

A growing chorus of voices within the Lower Saxony state parliament is advocating for a ban on social media access for children under the age of 14. The CDU parliamentary group is pushing to lobby the federal government for such a prohibition, coupled with mandatory age verification measures.

The CDU's proposal highlights concerns about the dangers associated with social media, including cyberbullying, sexual exploitation, hate speech, disinformation, and financial pitfalls. While acknowledging these risks affect all age groups, the party emphasizes the need for specific protective measures for minors. Their motion also calls for improved prevention programs and enhanced media literacy education in families and schools, citing current offerings as inadequately networked, inconsistently funded, and regionally varied.

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We are pleased that the CDU is aligning with our position on the minimum age of 14 – we have been calling for this for over a year. But a ban alone is not enough: youth versions without addiction mechanics, real transparency of algorithms, supervision with enforcement power, and the promotion of media literacy, not just in daycare and school, are needed.

The governing SPD and Green parties also support a minimum age of 14. The SPD, however, proposes a tiered approach to protection, which includes developing youth-oriented versions of social networks for 14- to 16-year-olds. These versions would exclude endless feeds, autoplay features, and algorithmic recommendations. SPD media politician Tim Wook stated, "We are pleased that the CDU is aligning with our position on the minimum age of 14 – we have been calling for this for over a year." He stressed that a ban alone is insufficient, advocating instead for addiction-free youth versions, algorithmic transparency, an enforcement-capable supervisory body, and media literacy promotion.

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Our goal remains a digital world that enables young people to participate while effectively protecting them. Therefore, under current conditions, we advocate for linking social media use to a minimum age of 14. In the long term, however, such an age limit should become obsolete through clear rules, effective supervision, and responsible platform design.

The Greens view a minimum age as a potential interim step toward creating youth-safe platforms. Detlev Schulz-Hendel, co-leader of the Green parliamentary group, stated, "Our goal remains a digital world that enables young people to participate while effectively protecting them." He added, "Therefore, under current conditions, we advocate for linking social media use to a minimum age of 14. In the long term, however, such an age limit should become obsolete through clear rules, effective supervision, and responsible platform design."

Conversely, the AfD's education politician Harm Rykena argued that parental responsibility is key. "It is the parents' task to guide their children towards a sensible, age-appropriate use of TikTok and the like. It should remain that way," he said, viewing a ban as a significant infringement on young people's freedom rights.

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It is the parents' task to guide their children towards a sensible, age-appropriate use of TikTok and the like. It should remain that way.