German officials are debating whether to restrict access to social media platforms for children below a defined age threshold and to strengthen media literacy education. The discussions follow concerns among lawmakers and educators that existing digital skills and online safety awareness among young people are insufficient, given the pervasive use of social media services.
Lawmakers in Germany’s federal parliament said they are reviewing proposals that would effectively bar children under 14 from using social media without verified parental consent or accompanying media education measures. The proposals come as legislators assess draft rules and points raised during committee hearings involving child welfare advocates, educators and digital rights experts. Officials emphasised that any regulatory approach would need to balance child safety with respect for freedom of expression and privacy.
Government sources said the debate was prompted in part by research presented to parliament showing that a substantial proportion of minors lack adequate media literacy skills. Those findings indicated that young users may struggle to identify misinformation, manage privacy settings, or recognise inappropriate content without additional guidance. Lawmakers said they are considering how formal education programmes could supplement any restrictions on access to offer children better tools for navigating digital environments.
In parallel with age restrictions, policymakers and educators discussed media literacy initiatives aimed at strengthening digital skills among children and teenagers. Proponents said expanded curricula and targeted training could help young users understand online risks, make informed choices about content engagement and protect their personal data. These discussions reflect broader educational goals in Germany to integrate digital competency into school programmes.
Critics of age-based restrictions have cautioned that enforcing a social media ban for younger users could be challenging and that age verification systems may raise privacy concerns. Representatives of digital rights organisations said that restrictive measures should be carefully designed and accompanied by robust safeguards to prevent undue data collection. Others argued that enhancing media literacy may be a more sustainable long-term response to online risks for minors.
As discussions continue, German authorities have not yet published detailed draft legislation or set a timeline for possible implementation of age limits or educational mandates. The debate contributes to a wider European discourse on children’s online safety, with other countries exploring similar age-based limits or regulatory reforms targeting social media use by minors.