What's Changing?
Mixed

What’s Changing?

The German Federal Minister for Family Affairs, Karin Prien, has advocated for stricter age restrictions on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Addressing concerns regarding the age at which social media access should be permitted, Minister Prien indicated that a panel of experts will be tasked with examining this matter in the coming weeks.

Beyond limiting platform access, Prien also voiced criticism regarding parental social media consumption and screen time, highlighting the potential impact on early childhood development. She emphasized the importance of direct eye contact between parents and babies, observing instances where parents prioritize mobile device usage over engagement with infants.

Responding to queries regarding the appropriate age for children to receive their own mobile phones, Minister Prien suggested delaying this as much as possible. “Every six months gained is a win” she stated, adding that children should be capable of reading fluently and engaging with longer texts – like books – before being given access to a mobile device.

Acknowledging the prevalence of online content, Prien addressed the issue of early exposure to potentially harmful material. She shared a personal anecdote, admitting to having explored erotic literature as a teenager by accessing books previously owned by her father, although she noted these were in English. Following this discovery, her parents initiated a conversation about the content, which she declined to discuss due to embarrassment. She distinguished this experience from the readily available imagery online today, asserting that the latter presents a risk of traumatization rather than simply early sexualization.

Despite acknowledging the potential risks, Minister Prien offered a positive perspective on the relationship between children and their parents. Citing feedback from young people, she stated that, overall, the quality of this relationship has never been better, with the vast majority of parents demonstrating dedicated and attentive care.