Will Germany impose an age limit for social media?

Germany is contemplating the imposition of an age limit for social media use, prompted by growing concerns over the excessive screen time experienced by teenagers. Leni, an 18-year-old, shared her experience of spending up to 10 hours a day on platforms like TikTok and YouTube, which led her to neglect her studies and social life. She has since reduced her media consumption to about five hours daily.

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I noticed that I had really neglected school and did not study nearly as much as I used to. I began monitoring the time I spent consuming media on my phone, putting my device away more often and no longer canceling plans to meet up with my friends in favor of just staying on my phone. Now, on average, I spend about five hours a day consuming media.

Leni's situation reflects a broader trend in Germany. Recent OECD findings indicate that 15-year-olds in Germany spend approximately 48 hours per week on screens, averaging about seven hours per day. This places Germany fifth highest among 36 countries for screen time. Furthermore, a study by DAK health insurance revealed that 1.5 million young people in Germany use social media to a problematic extent, with about 350,000 considered addicted.

These statistics have fueled calls for a social media ban for young people, similar to Australia's recent move to prohibit social media use for children under 16. Leni supports such a measure, believing it would offer greater protection against unregulated content on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.

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It would protect children and young people a little bit more. I have noticed that there are things on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube which not regulated at all.

An independent expert commission has proposed stronger controls for online platforms, citing the radicalizing influence of digital media on democratic discourse and its impact on child development. "We want the platforms to be more accountable, so that they enable participation but also offer more protection than they have so far, for example with age verification," said Nadine Schön, co-chair of the commission.

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We are seeing how digital media radicalizes our democratic discourse and influences the development of children and young people. We see that screen time is increasing. And we see that children and teenagers often suffer from addiction.

Education Minister Prien also advocates for an age limit, preferably at the European Union level, suggesting a legal minimum age of 13 for independent social media use, coupled with effective age verification and phased safeguards until age 18. Florian Buschmann, who struggled with excessive gaming as a teenager, also supports banning social media for those under 13.

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The proposal of a legal minimum age of 13 years for the independent use of social media is the right way forward.