prioritizing protection over promotion
Minister of Justice Proposes Definitive Age Limit for Social Media Platforms
Get ready for stress-free kids! Federal Minister of Justice Stefanie Hubig believes that clear social media rules are essential for a bully-free upbringing. "Kids and teenagers need protection, not pressure to self-promote," the SPD politician shares with the German Press Agency.
A straightforward and effective age limit for social media use shields children's privacy, fostering healthy growth. Hubig believes this would make life easier for parents, leaving them free from daily discussions about social media activities.
Initial experiments in different countries show that such restrictions result in "less bullying, enhanced focus, and increased social interaction" in schools.
coalition agreement and actions
A coalition agreement between CDU, CSU, and SPD established an expert commission to examine the impact of digital media on children and young people. Hubig advocates for Federal Minister of Education Karin Prien (CDU) who pinpoints the urgent need for a legally binding age verification.
Several European countries already employ mobile phone bans in primary schools, though the rules vary. The current topic of more efficient age verification for social media users is also being debated at the EU level.
european regulations and proposals
Across Europe, there are numerous regulations and proposals in the works regarding age restrictions for social media and mobile phone usage, especially in schools. Here's a breakdown:
Social Media Age Verification
- The EU will mandate age verification for all adult internet users starting July 2025, though the specifics are still underdevelopment[1].
- France has passed legislation requiring parental approval for social media users under 15, calling for stricter verification measures[2].
- Spain, France, and Greece propose a minimum age for accessing social media in the EU, focusing on verification, and parental controls[5].
Mobile Phone Usage in Schools
- France supports a ban on smartphones for kids under 11 and stricter social media rules[3].
- Spain debates expanding the use of digital ID wallets for age verification and proposes default parental controls[3].
- Regions like the Community of Madrid ban individual mobile phone use in younger school years while others craft their own policies[5].
legal frameworks
- The Digital Services Act (DSA) obligates platforms to shield minors from harmful content[4].
- The Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD) includes provisions to safeguard kids from inappropriate content[3].
- The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) covers data privacy for minors[3].
conclusion
Europe is assertively working to regulate social media and mobile phone use among minors, with various countries proposing and enacting different measures to protect children. However, there's a continuous need for more effective and privacy-minded age verification systems.
In the wake of prioritizing protection over promotion, the Federal Minister of Education, Karin Prien (CDU), is advocating for a legally binding age verification to ensure a safe digital environment for children and young people. This push aligns with the coalition agreement, as various European countries are proposing and enacting regulations and proposals focusing on social media age verification and phone usage restrictions in schools, such as the EU mandate for age verification by July 2025 and France's legislation requiring parental approval for social media users under 15. Simultaneously, legal frameworks like the Digital Services Act, Audiovisual Media Services Directive, and General Data Protection Regulation are in place to safeguard minors from harmful content and protect their data privacy.
