The SPD has proposed a ban on social media platforms for children under 14 in an impulse paper. The plan includes age verification via the EU app EUDI-Wallet and tiered rules by age group. It draws inspiration from Australia's recent model.
Berlin. The SPD is calling for stricter rules on social media use by young people in a new impulse paper. At its core is a complete ban for children under 14. Platform operators must technically block access and face penalties for violations, including fines, temporary restrictions, or net blocks.
For those under 16, a mandatory 'youth version' of platforms is proposed. This version avoids addictive features like endless scrolling, automatic content playback, or reward systems for heavy use. It also lacks algorithm-driven feeds and personalized content. Access is only via parents' EUDI-Wallet app, an EU digital identity tool storing documents like ID cards.
From age 16, algorithmic recommendations are off by default; users must opt in. Verification via EUDI-Wallet is required here too. The proposal aims for a 'return to classic social media principles': By default, users see only content from followed accounts, without algorithmic curation.
SPD leader and Vice-Chancellor Lars Klingbeil highlighted a shift in thinking in a dpa interview: 'A few years ago, we all emphasized the freedom of the net and said there should be no restrictions. But now we see in the debates that something is happening socially, young people come to me and say we need clear rules on how to handle social networks.'
Internationally, countries like Denmark, the UK, France, and Spain are following Australia's lead, which two months ago introduced a ban for under-16s. In Germany, CDU Family Minister Karin Prien expressed support: She can imagine a ban up to a certain age. The CDU will discuss the topic at its party congress.
