Thuringia’s Minister President, Mario Voigt of the CDU party, is advocating for stricter regulations surrounding social media access for children and adolescents, drawing parallels to the existing restrictions on alcohol and tobacco. In an interview with “Welt” Voigt stated the necessity of establishing an age limit for social media usage, proposing a minimum of 16 years as a starting point, citing the documented impact on mental health. He justified the measure by pointing to the current legal framework governing access to alcohol and cigarettes, emphasizing the paramount importance of protecting young people.
Beyond age restrictions, Voigt also announced an initiative to prohibit smartphone use in elementary school classrooms throughout Thuringia. The proposed legal framework will limit smartphone use during school hours, though accommodations will be made to allow children to communicate with their parents regarding pick-up arrangements or informing them of their whereabouts after school.
Voigt expressed concern over the increasing prevalence of anxiety among young people, referencing a recent study indicating that one in four children experiences anxiety linked to social media use. He highlighted the significant time adolescents spend on their mobile devices, observing that daily screen scrolling distances frequently exceed 200 meters.
The Minister President also voiced concern about the potential for strangers to contact children and adolescents on social media platforms and the exposure to inappropriate content such as depictions of violence and pornography. He maintained that such exposure can negatively impact their emotional state and broader awareness, reinforcing the urgency of enacting stricter controls regarding social media access for those under 16.
