GermanyA commission established by Germany's Federal Ministry of Family Affairs has released recommendations aimed at protecting children and young people in the digital world. The commission, composed of experts including lawyers, educators, and medical professionals, worked on these guidelines from autumn 2025. Their recommendations cover various stages of childhood development and address multiple stakeholders such as parents, schools, kindergartens, doctors, and youth services. While the public debate focuses heavily on whether children and adolescents should be banned from social media and up to what age, the commission proposes alternatives to a blanket ban. They recommend prohibiting access to social media for those under 13 years old but emphasize that this should be one of two options. Additionally, they suggest strengthening existing regulations like the Digital Services Act (DSA), which requires platforms to protect minors but is criticized for being too vague and lacking strict age verification requirements.
Bias read (Center): The article presents the commission's balanced approach to regulating digital content for children, emphasizing collaboration among stakeholders rather than taking a clear ideological stance. It discusses both potential restrictions and broader regulatory improvements without overtly favoring any一方.
