Social media restrictions proposed for minors by Özdemir
In a recent statement to the German Press Agency in Stuttgart, former Federal Minister of Agriculture and Education, Cem Özdemir, has advocated for stricter regulations on social media use, particularly for children and adolescents. Özdemir suggested a ban on unaccompanied use of social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram for individuals under the age of 16.
Özdemir believes that social media operators who restrict their own children from using these platforms should raise concerns. He proposes a gradual introduction to social media, similar to learning to drive, to ensure that young users are equipped with the necessary skills to navigate the online world safely.
The discussion revolves around the need for control over social media use, particularly for children and adolescents. Young people have expressed a need for clear rules regarding social media usage due to feeling overwhelmed, while parents are often overwhelmed by social media, according to Özdemir.
The politician uses an analogy of alcohol to argue against the idea that small children should have unsupervised access to social media. Just as it is unacceptable for small children to drink alcohol, Özdemir argues that they should not have unsupervised access to social media. He emphasizes the importance of age limits and controls in both social media and alcohol consumption.
The call for stricter social media regulations is not a new phenomenon. Globally, governments are increasingly holding platforms accountable for minors' online safety. For instance, starting 10 December 2025, Australia will require age-restricted social media platforms to take reasonable steps to prevent users under 16 from creating or keeping accounts.
The UK has also introduced new laws effective 25 July 2025 that require children under 18 to prove their age to access harmful content like pornography, self-harm content, and hate speech. Social platforms must also reduce exposure of young users to harmful posts and videos through algorithm controls.
In Europe, some countries such as France, Greece, Denmark, and Spain are moving to restrict social media use to those aged 15 or 16 and older. This regulatory momentum towards protecting youth online is reflected in the emerging laws in Australia, the UK, and parts of Europe focused on improving online safety for minors.
Despite growing regulation, enforcing age restrictions reliably remains a technical and legal challenge. There is no universal standard for age verification that is secure, scalable, respects privacy, and is difficult for youths to circumvent. This is a key focus for policymakers and platforms going forward.
Media education is considered important by Özdemir, even at a young age. He emphasizes the need for parents, teachers, and schools to play an active role in guiding young users in their digital journey.
In conclusion, the current global regulatory trend strongly favors restricting social media access for children under 16, mandating platforms to verify age more effectively and block underage users. This aligns with emerging laws in Australia, the UK, and parts of Europe focused on improving online safety for minors. However, enforcement methods and standards are still evolving.
- The call from former Federal Minister Cem Özdemir for stricter social media regulations extends beyond Germany, as governments worldwide, such as those in Australia, the UK, France, Greece, Denmark, and Spain, are introducing policies and legislation to limit social media use for individuals under age 16.
- Aside from advocating for age restrictions, Özdemir also emphasizes the importance of media education, suggesting that parents, teachers, and schools have a crucial role in guiding young users on their digital journey, aiding them in navigating the online world safely and responsibly.
- In line with these stricter social media entertainment policies, general news outlets are reporting on laws aimed at online safety, including the UK's requirement for children under 18 to prove their age to access harmful content and Australia's age-restriction laws for social media platforms to take reasonable steps to prevent users under 16 from creating or keeping accounts, effective from 10 December 2025.
