Federal Education Minister Karin Prien believes that the poor German results from the PISA study highlight the need for action regarding the use of social media. The CDU politician advocated for implementing age restrictions on social media during a segment on RBB-Inforadio on Wednesday.
Prien is convinced that the PISA results are linked to screen time and social media usage. She stated, “The inability of children to concentrate, their lack of stamina, and their diminished capacity for meaningful reading are connected to social media and screen time.”
Therefore, she argued that both age limitations and improved media education are essential. “We cannot risk that our children, in this digital and AI age, become less capable of critical thinking and less able to engage with content.”
The Education Minister indicated that she will be presenting appropriate proposals to the cabinet in the coming weeks. Simultaneously, Prien is advocating for a European solution. “In any case, there is no alternative to implementing appropriate age restrictions and effective age verification. This concerns the use of the platforms, and it is about preventing youth-endangering and addictive content from reaching young people. There is a critical need for action here.”
