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Germany Considers Mandatory Age Checks for Social Media While States Ban Smartphones in Schools

Prien plans to convene an expert commission before the summer recess to establish scientific foundations for age verification on social media.

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Overview

  • Following Australia’s recent law barring under-16s from platforms like TikTok, Education Minister Karin Prien has proposed mandatory age verification for social media access in Germany.
  • Hessen will enforce a private smartphone ban in schools after the summer holidays, making it the first state to require students to keep devices in their bags.
  • The Standing Conference of Education Ministers ruled out a uniform federal smartphone ban in schools, emphasizing that each state must set its own digital policies.
  • Experts caution that blanket age restrictions may infringe on children’s rights and advocate for strengthened media literacy education as a complementary measure.
  • An inter-state expert commission will convene before the summer break and is expected to deliver initial recommendations on youth digital safety early next year.