A growing chorus within Germany’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU) is pushing for stricter regulations on social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram and Facebook, sparking a debate about the potential safeguards for young users and the feasibility of implementation. Several CDU state branches are preparing to formally propose these measures at the party’s federal convention in Stuttgart later this month.
The initiative, spearheaded by the CDU in Schleswig-Holstein, proposes a minimum age of 16 for social media usage and a mandatory “real name” policy for all users. This proposal is gaining traction with support emerging from Niedersachsen, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Rheinland-Pfalz, signaling a potential shift in the CDU’s approach to digital policy.
Sebastian Lechner, parliamentary group leader of the CDU in Niedersachsen, voiced strong support for the minimum age proposal, citing Australia’s recent ban on social media usage for individuals under 16 as a model worth emulating. “We urgently need to take action” Lechner told “Welt am Sonntag”, highlighting the perceived need for intervention. He also championed the real-name requirement, asserting its “undeniable” benefits for internal security, although he expressed reservations regarding its international enforceability.
Daniel Peters, CDU state chairman in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, echoed the sentiment, stating his branch “wholeheartedly supports a minimum age of 16 for social media use” and views the real-name policy positively. Gordon Schnieder, leader of the CDU in Rheinland-Pfalz, went further, acknowledging the “significant negative impacts” social media can have on the mental health of young people and openly advocating for a broader debate on social media bans.
While Federal Family Minister Karin Prien (CDU) has emphasized the need to protect children and adolescents in the digital sphere, she refrained from endorsing a specific minimum age, instead calling for “binding, effective age restrictions and verification processes”. Prien stressed the necessity of secure default settings and clearly defined responsibilities for the social media platforms themselves, suggesting a preference for a more layered regulatory approach.
The proposed measures raise critical questions about the balance between safeguarding vulnerable users and respecting freedom of expression. The feasibility of enforcing a “real-name” policy internationally, given varying legal frameworks and privacy concerns, is also a significant hurdle. Furthermore, concerns linger about the potential for circumventing any imposed age restrictions and the potential for unintended consequences, especially regarding access to information and online community for marginalized youth. The debate reflects a growing political pressure to address the complex relationship between social media and the well-being of young people.
