Germany plans social media ban for children under 13

BERLIN (MNTV) – Germany’s Cabinet approved new guidelines Wednesday to protect children and teenagers online, including plans to ban children under 13 from using major social media platforms.

The proposed restrictions would remain in place until European Union-wide regulations take effect.

Under the plan, children younger than 13 would be prohibited from accessing platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat. Only services specifically designed for children would be exempt.

Teenagers between 13 and 18 would face different restrictions depending on their age.

The government also plans to introduce reliable age verification beginning in 2027 through Germany’s version of the EU Digital Identity Wallet, known as “d-you.”

The measures follow a report by an independent expert commission that presented 56 recommendations last month.

Education and Family Affairs Minister Karin Prien said the government was moving from reviewing online risks to implementing safeguards.

She emphasized that the goal was not to exclude young people from the internet but to help them navigate the digital world safely and independently.

The government also wants social media companies to reduce features designed to encourage excessive screen time.

As part of discussions on the proposed EU Kids Act, Germany is pushing for algorithm-driven recommendations to be disabled by default and restrictions on features that promote endless scrolling and compulsive use.

The proposed framework focuses on protecting children from online harm while improving their digital skills and ensuring they can continue participating in online activities.

The restrictions are not yet in force and would require further implementation.