Germany considers social media restrictions for children under 14

Germany’s federal government is considering new restrictions on children’s access to social media, as coalition parties examine how to address online risks affecting minors. The Social Democratic Party (SPD), part of the governing coalition, has proposed banning social media use for children under 14 and introducing youth-specific platform versions for users aged 14 to 16. These versions would limit features such as algorithm-based recommendations and continuous content feeds.

The proposal follows similar discussions among conservative coalition partners, who have suggested restricting access for users under 16. The debate is linked to broader government efforts to assess the impact of digital platforms on children, including a commission established in 2025 to examine online harms.

Any nationwide restrictions would require coordination among Germany’s federal states, which are responsible for media regulation. Germany’s discussions also reflect a wider trend, as countries such as Australia have already introduced age-based social media bans and European policymakers consider similar measures.