The Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) has endorsed a proposal led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s conservative faction to limit social media access for children under 16. Lawmakers are considering a complete ban for those under 14, while teenagers aged 14 to 16 would face restricted access to content.
Armand Zorn, deputy head of the SPD parliamentary group, emphasized that these measures aim to protect children and youth in the digital realm. The SPD advocates prohibiting social media for children younger than 14, while platforms would be required to provide only specific content for those aged 14 to 16.
“We need safe digital spaces—free from algorithms that cause addiction and unacceptable content such as hate speech, incitement, misinformation, and violence,” Zorn stated.
The SPD also seeks to amend regulations for adults, proposing that algorithmic recommendations be activated only upon user request. The German government is expected to approve a joint proposal from the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and SPD later this year.
This initiative may strain relations with major American tech companies, coinciding with Merz’s planned visit to Washington for discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Globally, similar restrictions on social media for minors are gaining traction, driven by increasing scrutiny of digital services deemed addictive and potentially harmful to children.
In December 2025, Australia became the first country to ban social media usage for children and teenagers under 16. Following this, in January 2026, France’s National Assembly passed a bill prohibiting social media access for those under 15.
In February 2026, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced plans to restrict social media access for children under 16, demanding that digital platforms implement effective age verification systems. Slovenia’s Deputy Prime Minister Matej Arkon has also indicated that the country is preparing legislation to ban social media for children under 15.
Germany's SPD has backed a proposal to restrict social media access for minors, aiming to enhance digital safety. This move aligns with a growing trend in Europe to safeguard children from potentially harmful online content.
Source: Bloomberg