In the debate over a social‑media ban for children and youths under 14, the German Teachers’ Association cautioned against blanket solutions.
President Stefan Düll told the “Rheinische Post” (Tuesday edition) that a universal ban on social media for those under 14 is neither enforceable nor pedagogically sensible. He added that many methods of age verification violate the principle of data minimisation.
Düll called for a tiered age regulation aligned with EU standards, emphasizing clear protection rights for children and explicit obligations for platforms. He warned that unmonitored bans are easily evaded and that real protection comes from developing competence, self‑control and resilience.
He urged schools to equip children for the digital wilderness by turning them into digital tinkerers and scouts, while parents should set an example and reflect on their own internet use. Adolescents, he said, must learn to ride the digital wave and recover when they are knocked down.