Government Official Overseeing Justice Establishes Age Limit for Social Media Platforms

Berlin — In today's digital age, the need for clear-cut social media guidelines to safeguard children from stress and cyberbullying is stressed by Federal Minister of Justice Stefanie Hubig. It's all about providing protection, not pushing them into constant self-promotion. "Our kids need a carefree childhood, not a platform to be performers," shared Hubig in a conversation with German Press Agency.

Implementing a stringent, effective age limit for using social media would not only shield children's privacy but also foster healthy development. By doing so, parents could be liberated from daily discussions about their children's social media adventures.

Initial experiences in various countries hint at positive outcomes when such restrictions are in place: fewer cases of bullying, increased focus, and improved social interactions among kids and adolescents in schools.

Cooperation for a Safer Childhood

In unity, the CDU, CSU, and SPD have pledged to constitute an expert commission to delve into the influence of digital media on children and adolescents. Minister Hubig stands alongside her counterpart, Federal Minister of Education Karin Prien (CDU), in her pursuit of swift advancement in this area. Recent public advocacies by Prien include the need for legally enshrined age verification.

Across Europe, mobile phone bans have already been enforced in primary schools. Each country adheres to its own regulations, which range greatly. A current discussion revolves around more crucial age verification for social media users.

The Road to a Safer Digital World

In an attempt to secure a safe digital environment for minors across the continent, the European Commission is working on a universal age verification solution. This temporary measure will last until the EU Digital Identity Wallet becomes available by the end of 2026. The goal is to safeguard minors from inappropriate content, all while maintaining privacy and user-friendly navigation[1][4].

Moreover, several EU countries, including France, Spain, and Greece, are advocating for stricter social media regulations for children. Some countries have even proposed a uniform minimum age for using social media platforms, such as 15 or 16[2][4][5].

The European Commission is also enforcing the Digital Services Act (DSA) to establish a safer online environment for minors. This involves limiting minors' exposure to inappropriate content and interactions with unidentified users[1][4].

In addition to these measures, several expert commissions, regulators, and civil society groups are actively engaged in research and consultations to uncover the psychological and social risks associated with social media use among children[1]. Workshops have been organized to collect feedback on guarding minors under the DSA.

But, challenges remain. Implementing consistent, effective age verification across platforms and forging a consensus on a universal age limit across the EU continue to present formidable obstacles[5]. Concerns about the impact of digital media on children's mental and physical well-being, including cyberbullying and unrealistic body image standards, are rise[5].

Nonetheless, Europe stands committed to regulating social media use among children, with a concentration on protecting minors from harmful content and promoting their digital well-being.

To ensure a carefree childhood, German Minister Stefanie Hubig emphasizes the need for strong social media guidelines that protect children from stress and cyberbullying, moving them away from self-promotion and towards healthy development.
Recognizing the impact of digital media on children's well-being, the CDU, CSU, and SPD have vowed to establish an expert commission to investigate how digital media influences the development of children and adolescents.
In the pursuit of a safer digital world, the European Commission is working on a universal age verification system, aiming to shield minors from inappropriate content while preserving privacy and user-friendly navigation.
Concerned about the psychological and social risks associated with social media use among children, various expert commissions, regulators, and civil society groups across Europe are working to uncover solutions that promote digital well-being and protect minors from harmful content.