Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) has voiced support for a social‑media ban for minors. “If 14‑year‑olds already spend five or more hours a day in front of screens-and if all their socialisation takes place only through such platforms-then it is no surprise that young people develop personality deficits and social‑behavioural problems” he said in the podcast “Machtwechsel”.
At the CDU party congress this weekend, members debated age limits for using services such as Facebook, TikTok and Instagram. Merz expressed “a lot of sympathy for the proposal we are currently discussing at the congress next weekend, as well as for the suggestion coming from the SPD”. CDU state leaders Daniel Günther of Schleswig‑Holstein and Hendrik Wüst of North Rhine‑Westphalia have both called for an age threshold of 16. The SPD parliamentary group is pushing for a tiered model, including a complete ban for children under 14.
Merz admits he is skeptical of outright bans, yet he stresses that the priority must be protecting children at an age when they also need time for play, study and school concentration. He believes children should learn to handle electronic media in school, but rejects the idea that they need to be “introduced” to these tools. “Honestly, that argument doesn’t hold” he said. “Otherwise we would have to start giving out alcohol in primary school so that they get used to it”.