Veteran “Tagesthemen” moderator Ulrich Wickert has called for strict regulation of social networks, questioning their importance in his own life. In remarks to the “Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung” Wickert stated, “If social media can be used completely uncontrolled, that is bad for the individual and bad for society”.
The 83-year-old journalist added that he is not present on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok and does not miss this form of communication, although he does appreciate the media libraries for accessing information at his convenience. He shared that instead of using his phone during dinner or when watching the evening news, he prefers alternatives. “I put my phone away when we’re eating dinner or when the evening news airs. Or I watch the ‘Tagesthemen’ broadcast from the previous evening whenever I want” he said.
Wichert directed criticism towards parents who use digital devices to keep very young children quiet. “When I see parents putting an iPad in front of a very young child who isn’t even in school, just to keep it quiet in a restaurant, I think that is terrible” he remarked. He highlighted his own approach as a father: “My 14-year-old children have restricted access to social media channels”.