Social Media Restriction for Minors Advocated by Oezdemir - Social Media Ban Advocated by Özdemir for Children
In a recent development, German politician Cem Özdemir has called for stricter regulations on social media platforms, particularly TikTok and Instagram, for children and youth under the age of 16. Özdemir, who is running in a state election, emphasised the importance of responsible media use among young people and the need for close supervision.
During a meeting with youth in Stuttgart, Özdemir expressed concern over the increasing use of social media by children and adolescents. He argued that if the operators of social media platforms restrict their own children's use, it should be a concern for everyone. In a bid to address this issue, Özdemir proposed a ban on unsupervised use of social media by children and youth.
To support his argument, Özdemir used an analogy, comparing the age limits on social media to alcohol restrictions. He believes that just as it is essential to limit alcohol consumption for minors, it is crucial to restrict access to social media platforms for children and adolescents.
Özdemir also advocated for a ban on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram for children and youth under the age of 16. He emphasised that media education is important from an early age and that a gradual introduction to social media, similar to driving lessons, would be more beneficial.
The German Press Agency reported on Özdemir's stance on social media regulations. Currently, Germany enforces social media age limits primarily through voluntary self-regulation and legal frameworks that align with the EU Digital Services Act (DSA). For platforms like TikTok and Instagram, which are accessible to minors, upcoming EU-wide mandatory age verification regulations are set to take effect by the end of 2026.
These regulations require platforms to implement robust age checks without compromising user privacy. The DSA requires platforms accessible in Germany and the entire EU to implement standardized age verification systems by 2026. This includes TikTok and Instagram, which must adopt privacy-preserving digital identity verification (via the EU Digital Identity Wallet) allowing users to prove they are over 18 for sensitive content without revealing additional personal data.
However, platforms face technical and legal challenges in integrating these age verification mechanisms alongside DSA-required content moderation and transparency obligations. Smaller services may struggle more than larger ones like Instagram and TikTok.
Parents, including Cem Özdemir himself, find it challenging to keep up with their children's use of social media. Özdemir believes that parents, teachers, and schools should also be involved in social media supervision. He believes that a collective effort is necessary to ensure that children and youth learn to handle smartphones and media responsibly.
In conclusion, TikTok and Instagram in Germany currently comply with voluntary minimum age policies, but by the end of 2026, they must implement mandatory, privacy-conscious age verification procedures for adult content under the EU’s Digital Services Act framework. German bodies such as FSM and jugendschutz.net support child protection efforts through self-regulation and monitoring. Özdemir's statements highlight the need for stricter regulations and close supervision to ensure responsible media use among children and youth in Germany.
Read also:
- Tale of Suicide of Investigative Reporter Gary Webb, Known for Unveiling CIA Involvement in Drug Trade
- The Influence of Online Platforms on Everyday Living
- Vanderbilt University's Offering: Advanced Prompt Engineering for All | Our Site Provides Certification in the Field
- Burkina Faso's partner town of Zogorè pays a visit to Mayor Christian Pakusch
