In the debate surrounding the regulation of social media for minors, CSU Digital politician Hansjörg Durz warned against implementing sweeping, blanket bans. Speaking to the news magazine “Focus” the chairman of the Digital Committee stated that “quick fixes would be counterproductive”.
He emphasized that while the risks presented by social networks are substantial, the positive opportunities must not be ignored in the discussion. According to Durz, learning how to use social media in a digital world requires active, enabling participation. He stressed that this participation is central to freedom of the media, a right applicable not only to adults.
Therefore, he argued that the political focus must first be on more rigorously enforcing existing rules. He cited the European Digital Services Act (DSA) as an example, noting that it already mandates platforms today to implement “appropriate and proportionate measures” to ensure a “high degree of privacy, security, and protection for minors”.
Given this, Durz advised the federal government to await the results of the independent expert commission on “Child and Youth Protection in the Digital World” before considering any prohibition. While he conceded that a differentiated ban could be “part of a solution” he cautioned heavily against ignoring the complexity of digital spaces, warning that doing so would undermine the entire discussion.