Philipp Amthor, the state secretary in the Ministry for Digital Affairs, raised doubts about a proposed ban on social‑media use for people under 16. Speaking on RTL and ntv’s “Frühstart” on Tuesday, he said that social networks also provide a chance for democratic exchange, but they carry risks.
He warned that a ban would hinge on a number of technical questions and questioned whether setting 16 as the ending point is appropriate. Amthor urged that the relevant technical prerequisites for a sensible ban be clearly identified and that the exact age threshold be carefully defined. Finally, he argued that Germany should not act alone but coordinate the approach with Europe.