Overview
- An SPD impulse paper proposes a three‑tier system: a ban for under‑14s, youth versions without addictive or manipulative mechanisms for ages 14–16, and default‑off personalization for 16+ that requires explicit, revocable opt‑in.
- To enable age checks, the SPD points to the EU digital identity wallet (EUDI‑Wallet) planned from 2027 as a verification tool.
- CDU delegates have urged the government to set a statutory minimum age of 14 for social networks and to define enhanced protections up to 16.
- Legal analyses highlight major hurdles to national bans due to the EU Digital Services Act’s full harmonization and the origin‑country principle, with only limited scope under audiovisual rules for video platforms.
- Constitutional scholars warn blanket prohibitions would burden minors’ rights to information and expression and could clash with parental authority, while polling shows strong support for age limits in Germany (Ifo: 87%) and similarly high backing in Austria and Switzerland.