The Federal Minister for Family Affairs, Karin Prien, has voiced support for stricter age restrictions on social media platforms Instagram and TikTok. According to statements provided to the “Süddeutsche Zeitung” a forthcoming expert commission will investigate appropriate age thresholds for platform usage.
Minister Prien also expressed concerns regarding parental social media consumption and screen time, highlighting the potential impact on early childhood development. She observed instances where parents spend more time on their mobile devices than engaging with their children, emphasizing the importance of direct eye contact for infants.
Addressing the timing of children receiving their first mobile phones, Minister Prien stated that delaying access is generally advantageous. She suggested that a child should be able to read proficiently and capable of reading entire books before being granted a personal device.
Minister Prien acknowledged the potential for early exposure to inappropriate content online, reflecting on her own adolescent experience reading erotic literature – a situation she found embarrassing after being questioned by her parents. She clarified that this differs significantly from the readily available imagery online, differentiating the historical context of exploration from the risk of potential “traumatization.
Despite these concerns, Minister Prien underscored a positive dynamic in parent-child relationships, citing testimonies from children and adolescents who described these relationships as remarkably strong. She affirmed that the vast majority of parents are deeply committed and dedicated to their children’s well-being.