No Adult Supervision: Daniel Günther Suggests Social Media Ban for Underage Youth
Youth age restriction on social media advocated by Daniel Günther
Say goodbye to TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram for kids under 16, at least that's what Schleswig-Holstein's Minister-President Daniel Günther suggests. In an interview with "Bild am Sonntag," Günther argued that it's high time we take action to safeguard our youth from the digital dangers lurking in social media platforms.
As society's gatekeepers, Günther claims we've been slacking off in our protective duties, so now's the moment for a transformation. "It's about ensuring our young ones grow up in a TikTok-free, social media-free environment," he said.
Günther's remarks come in relation to a motion his CDU state association will vote on mid-June. Alongside advocating for stricter platform control, the motion calls for a ban on social media for underage users.
Günther highlighted the harmful effects of social media on kids and society, citing content that propagates violence, sexualized violence, and misinformation. He laments that parents are left clueless about the digital hardships their children endure.
Minister-President Karin Prien, a fellow CDU member in Schleswig-Holstein, concurs. In an interview with "Welt am Sonntag," she emphasized the need for effective age restrictions to protect young people from online pornography, violence, and extremist content.
Prien believes anyone insisting regulations aren't necessary is spreading falsehoods. "We wouldn't let our kids into brothels or liquor stores, would we?" she asked. "It's about shielding our children and young people—not about limiting freedom of speech in social media."
Daniel Günther and Karin Prien are not alone in their crusade for youth protection. The increase in calls to regulate social media use among minors is a global phenomenon due to concerns about mental health, safety, and the influence of digital media on young people's development. Studies have linked excessive social media usage with depression, anxiety, and decreased social skills.
Europe, the United States, and Asia have taken steps to protect children and adolescents, with countries like South Korea and Japan implementing screen time and social media usage regulations. Meanwhile, the European Union has implemented the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) to safeguard minors' online privacy and data.
Keep an eye out for updates on Daniel Günther's proposal as this story unfolds. Until then, prepare for a social media-free childhood for underage youth in Schleswig-Holstein.
- The Commission, in response to the call for stricter regulation of social media, might propose to extend the deadline for the submission of policy-and-legislation proposals regarding the protection of minors on social media to the Council.
- In the midst of discussions about the harms of social media on youth, entertainment giants have been weighing the potential impact of a social media ban on their target audience, which could lead to changes in their content strategy for general-news and crime-and-justice segments.
- Politics may take a definitive turn as politicians grapple with the growing calls for a ban on underage users from social media platforms, which could lead to debates on the balance between freedom of speech and the need for policy-and-legislation aimed at protecting young people from digital dangers.
