A debate within the governing CDU/CSU parliamentary group regarding age restrictions for social media use has met resistance from Science Minister Dorothee Bär. While acknowledging concerns about the impact of social networks on children, Minister Bär expressed reservations about blanket bans, specifically the proposal to limit access to age 16.
Speaking to RTL and ntv broadcasters, Bär emphasized the complexities of the issue, highlighting the evolving landscape of technology and its interaction with young people. She noted that while children once enjoyed relative safety within their homes, the proliferation of smartphones now allows access to digital platforms even for those who lack basic literacy skills.
Minister Bär, a mother of three teenagers, underscored the significant challenges faced by parents attempting to monitor the content their children encounter online. She referenced the existing policy in Bavaria, where private smartphone use is prohibited in schools up to the 7th grade, suggesting a considered, nuanced approach rather than sweeping restrictions. “It is important to examine this carefully, without unnecessarily penalizing the child” she stated.
