The German federal family minister, Karin Prien of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), is signaling a shift in her stance regarding social media access for minors, cautiously opening the door to discussions previously dominated by her hardline proposal for a complete ban on under-16s. While maintaining her core concern over insufficient existing protections, Prien conceded in an interview with the dts Nachrichtenagentur that a range of restrictions, including provisional bans up to the ages of 13 or 14, could be considered.
This apparent flexibility comes amidst growing political pressure to address the potential harms of platforms like TikTok on young users, a debate increasingly prominent both domestically and across Europe. The CDU’s initial call for a blanket prohibition generated considerable backlash and raised complex legal questions surrounding freedom of expression and parental rights.
Despite the signals of compromise, Prien remains firm in her belief that the current safeguards are inadequate. She suggested alternative measures, specifically highlighting the potential for “effective age verification” systems as a possible substitute for a total ban. However, the efficacy and feasibility of such verification methods remain contentious, with concerns raised about data privacy and the potential for circumvention.
Prien emphasized that she wants to avoid pre-empting the findings of the commission she established to analyze the issue, scheduled to deliver recommendations in mid-next year. However, her comments clearly indicate a desire for significantly increased regulation of the sector, a point that has broader political resonance as lawmakers grapple with balancing online safety and individual liberties.
A significant hurdle remains the ambiguity surrounding legislative competence across the European Union, the German federal government and individual state governments. This jurisdictional uncertainty threatens to slow progress and could lead to a patchwork of regulations, potentially undermining the effectiveness of any intervention. The evolving nature of the online landscape further complicates the matter, requiring constant adaptation and posing challenges for policymakers attempting to establish lasting frameworks.