AfD and the Left both reject a proposed ban on social‑media platforms for children and teenagers under the age of 16, a measure pushed by factions of the CDU.
AfD leader Alice Weidel told the portal T‑Online that the demand is “wrong and dangerous”. She said that teaching parents to guide their children toward responsible media use is their primary educational duty and is “far more effective and purposeful” than a blanket state prohibition of sites such as X, Instagram, and others.
Similarly, Left faction chair Heidi Reichinenck explained that instead of simply outlawing social media for youth, the focus should be on imparting media literacy and making those platforms safer for everyone, including adults. She noted that the EU has so far not required tech giants to disclose algorithms or remove illegal content. “Those in politics who have no other ideas than banning social media for young people are making it too easy” she added. Reichinenck stressed that young people have a “right to participate in the digital space”.
