I'm apprehensive about the Amthor-bot.
Let's dive into the current social media landscape, focusing on the hot topic of age limits, especially in light of Germany's recent initiatives.
C'mon, it's high time we take action, and that's exactly what's happening. Germany's Minister President Günther from the CDU is advocating for a ban on TikTok for individuals under 16, and not just TikTok, but all the popular social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook. Let's be honest here; remember when your 8th-grade pal was on Facebook? That felt like seeing a ghost, right?
But interestingly, the CDU itself maintains a TikTok channel called "Inside CDU," serving as a cautionary tale. This channel, however, is questionable, to say the least. It’s run by four individuals, including Merz, who mimics AI English, Amthor-Bot, the embodiment of capitalism, and Linne-Mann, a figure so creepy you can't even recall his face or the odd things he said, reminiscent of a roofie. And then there's Frau Glöckner, whose "Bundestag President Vibe" videos have her laughing, often with beer, sometimes with a mic, sometimes in a dress, and sometimes casually winking or being licked by a dog.
The CDU woman is always laughing, sometimes with beer, sometimes with a mic. Then she gets licked.
The TikTok content from the CDU is beyond annoying, especially when Amthor-Bot, aka the guy who allegedly receives both child benefit and pension, invites "us" for a "TikTok Live" while rolling his eyes theatrically beside the camera instead of into it. Or when he harps about his political passion: sausage goulash. Seriously, what's the deal with that?
Inside CDU also encourages viewers to ask their burning questions, such as "How does it feel to impersonate the chancellor through fairy tales?" or "When are the next elections? We don't need a Blackrock puppet." The silence that follows these queries is deafening.
But things take a turn when the bots actually respond to questions. The self-questions from the Inside-CDU horse girl, "Why did you vote for the coalition agreement?" prompt the bots to regurgitate AI speak from 2015, stating they voted because they like it and it provides the right answers. The bot just keeps talking, which is downright scary. It's cold and strange that the last bot looks exactly like Günther, leading some to speculate Russian involvement.
Now, let's shed some light on the broader picture.
Currently, most major platforms have a minimum age requirement of 13, but it's quite easy for youngsters to bypass these restrictions by providing false information. The European Union’s Digital Services Act emphasizes combating illegal content but doesn't enforce strict age verification or access controls for minors.
In Germany, Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig (SPD) strongly advocates for legal age limits, aiming to protect children's privacy and promote healthy development. Federal Minister for Youth Karin Prien (CDU) has endorsed the idea of legal age restrictions as well. Several countries, including France, Spain, and Greece, are discussing a "digital majority," which means setting a minimum age, such as 15 or 16, below which children would be prohibited from accessing social networks to protect them from addictive algorithms and potentially harmful content. The proposed regulations aim to relieve the daily burden on parents who struggle with their children's online activities.
These developments are part of a broader European push. The recent Australian law, which bans children under 16 from using certain social media platforms and imposes heavy fines on companies, is seen as a model for potential German and EU legislation. Proponents argue that age restrictions will reduce cyberbullying, increase concentration in schools, and facilitate better real-life social interaction.
In light of Germany's recent initiatives, the debate surrounding age limits on social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook has extended into the realm of pop-culture and entertainment, with Germany's Minister President Günther from the CDU advocating for a ban on these platforms for individuals under 16. Concurrently, the European Union is exploring the idea of a "digital majority," which could prohibit children from accessing social networks below a certain age to protect them from addictive algorithms and harmful content, following the Australian model of age restrictions to combat cyberbullying and promote better real-life social interaction.
