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2d ago

German Leaders Clash Over Social Media Age Limits and School Phone Bans

Education Minister Karin Prien is championing age verification rules for social media after Schleswig-Holstein moved to bar private phone use in schools to address youth screen-time risks.

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Overview

  • The German Teachers' Association, led by Stefan Düll, rejects a legal age limit for social media as unrealistic and urges schools and parents to focus on media literacy.
  • A YouGov survey for dpa finds over 70% of Germans support setting a minimum age for social media, with 57% favoring 16 as the threshold.
  • Schleswig-Holstein will ban private smartphone use in schools up to grade 9 starting next academic year under an upcoming education ministry directive.
  • Federal Education Minister Karin Prien and Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig back legally anchored age checks on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, while CSU leader Markus Söder deems fixed limits outdated and unworkable.
  • Critics warn strict age restrictions may drive minors to circumvent rules, pointing to Australia’s minimum-age ban as easily bypassed.