German expert panel suggests social media ban for under-13s
Germany is considering a major crackdown on children’s access to social media, with experts recommending a complete ban on independent social media use for children under 13. The proposal is part of a broader effort to protect young people from growing online dangers.
A government-appointed expert panel submitted 56 recommendations to Germany’s family ministry aimed at improving online safety for children and teenagers. Among the most controversial proposals is a legal restriction preventing children under 13 from creating or managing their own social media accounts.
The German government has welcomed the recommendations, which are now expected to become part of a wider political debate. **Bundesministerium für Familie, Senioren, Frauen und Jugend (Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth)** is reviewing the proposals as lawmakers discuss possible legal action.
German Family Minister **Karin Prien** voiced support for the age restriction, saying that a statutory minimum age of 13 for independent social media use is the right direction. She emphasized the need to better protect children from harmful digital environments.
The panel also suggested different protection levels for teenagers aged 13–16 and 16–18. Instead of completely blocking older teenagers, the goal is to reduce exposure to harmful content while still allowing safe participation in digital spaces.
As an alternative to a strict age-based ban, experts also proposed platform-specific restrictions. Under this model, different apps and features would be assessed based on risk, with safety rules tailored to each service rather than applying one universal age limit.
Germany’s growing concern comes from multiple online threats facing young users, including fake news, AI-generated deceptive content, violent material, and pornography. Policymakers are also worried that extremist political groups may use social media to influence children and teenagers at increasingly younger ages.
Several countries, including Australia, France, Canada, Spain, Slovenia, Greece, and Britain, have already introduced or are considering similar restrictions. Germany may soon join this global push to impose stricter controls on how children access social media platforms.