Germany’s ruling Christian Democratic Union (CDU) has passed a motion calling for a ban on social media use for children under 14, alongside tougher digital age verification checks for teenagers. The move, approved at a party conference in Stuttgart, also proposes fines for platforms that fail to enforce age limits and urges harmonisation of digital age standards across the European Union.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz and his coalition partners, including the Social Democrats, are signaling strong government backing for the restrictions. The proposal comes amid rising pressure across Europe, with countries such as Spain, Greece, France, and Britain considering similar bans or curbs on access to popular platforms like TikTok and Instagram. The initiative follows Australia, which became the first country to legally block children from social media last year.
The policy would require state-level negotiation under Germany’s federal system, as media regulation falls under regional authority. If implemented, it could significantly affect children’s daily routines. At the Cardinal Frings Gymnasium, students were observed scrolling on smartphones during school grounds, with reactions mixed. Thirteen-year-old Moritz suggested parental discretion should guide usage, while classmate Emma acknowledged limits on her own Snapchat use but said social media remains addictive.
Teachers warned of initial disruption, noting that children would face an adjustment period, but said they would eventually adapt and find alternative ways to communicate. The CDU’s motion reflects a growing European trend to regulate children’s online exposure, balancing concerns over digital safety, addiction, and misinformation with entrenched habits of daily social media use.
