In the debate over banning social media for children and adolescents under 14, the German Teachers’ Association cautioned against blanket solutions.
“An all‑out ban on social media for children under 14 is neither enforceable nor pedagogically sensible” said Stefan Düull, president of the association, in the Tuesday edition of the “Rheinische Post”. “Many forms of age verification also violate the principle of data minimisation”.
Instead of slipping into censorship and data theft, Düull called for a tiered age regulation that aligns with EU standards, providing clear protection rights for children and explicit duties for platforms. “Bans that nobody monitors are easily circumvented. What really protects is competence, self‑control, and resilience” he added.
“Schools must prepare children for the digital wilderness-as digital tinkerers and digital scouts. Parents must also set an example and reflect on their own usage. Adolescents must learn to ride the digital wave and bounce back when they are knocked down” Dill said.
