(de-news.net) – The debate over restricting social media use among minors in Germany has intensified, with the German Bild newspaper reporting that a clear majority of the public supports adopting Australia’s strict model. Surveys show widespread concern about the negative impact of platforms on youth mental health and development, raising questions about whether policymakers will translate this sentiment into concrete legislation.
Bild underscores in several articles published over the weekend that the ongoing debate surrounding social media restrictions for minors could have profound consequences for German politics and society. The coverage makes clear that a substantial majority of the German population is in favor of adopting Australia’s stringent model, which prohibits children under the age of sixteen from maintaining social media accounts. Surveys referenced in the reporting reveal that 77 percent of Germans would support such legislation, while only a small minority would oppose it. This striking level of approval has triggered considerable discussion within Germany, as it reflects a strong public sentiment that social media poses risks to youth. Furthermore, 82 percent of respondents believe that social media has harmful effects on children and adolescents, reinforcing the perception that platforms contribute to addiction, bullying, and exposure to dangerous or misleading information.
Bild stresses that these figures demonstrate a remarkable degree of public support for government intervention, which could place significant pressure on policymakers to respond. Should legislators align with public opinion, Germany might witness the introduction of new laws that fundamentally reshape how young people engage with digital platforms. Such measures would represent a decisive shift away from reliance on parental responsibility and educational initiatives toward direct state regulation of online access. Critics, however, caution that enforcement would be complex and that such restrictions could infringe upon individual liberties, raising questions about proportionality and freedom of expression.
In a second article, Bild examines the psychological and legal dimensions of the issue as Germany considers whether to emulate Australia’s approach. Opponents of a ban often argue that limiting social media use among young people would foster isolation and loneliness. Yet neuroscientist Manfred Spitzer disputes this claim, asserting that reduced social media consumption actually diminishes loneliness. He references research, including Jonathan Haidt’s Generation Angst, which documents how smartphones and social media have been central drivers of rising anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders among adolescents since approximately 2010.
Constitutional scholar Frauke Rostalski adds that regulations may be justified even when scientific evidence is not fully conclusive, provided the risks are substantial, as was the case with certain measures during the Covid-19 pandemic. She emphasizes that any prohibition would inevitably raise issues of proportionality, given the tension between protecting health and safeguarding rights to participation and free expression. Rostalski suggests that more pragmatic measures, such as banning mobile phones in schools, could be preferable to a sweeping prohibition.
The German government has clarified that a statutory minimum age of sixteen for social media accounts will not be introduced in the near future. Nevertheless, in recognition of pressing concerns, a commission dedicated to child and youth protection in the digital sphere has been established, with findings expected in autumn 2026. Legal experts continue to debate whether Germany could act independently within the European Union, particularly in light of the potential primacy of the EU’s Digital Services Act over national regulation.
A third article by Bild turns to the role of parents in safeguarding children online. It acknowledges that social media platforms are deeply integrated into the daily lives of young people, yet they also expose them to risks such as excessive screen time, harmful content, and cyberbullying. Bild emphasizes that parents should not rely solely on technical restrictions but should actively engage with their children’s digital experiences. The article highlights the importance of open communication, encouraging parents to hold regular conversations about online encounters and to foster trust so that children feel comfortable sharing negative experiences. It underscores the necessity of establishing clear boundaries, including limits on screen time, while also urging parents to model responsible digital behavior themselves.
