Heidi Reichinnek, the leader of the Left parliamentary group, has rejected the plan put forward by Education Minister Karin Prien (CDU) that would ban social media access for individuals under the age of 13.
In remarks to the “Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung,” Reichinnek stated that policymakers must focus on regulating the platforms themselves, not the children and young people. She argued that protecting minors with blanket bans, citing the example of Australia’s social media restriction, is ineffective, asserting that this approach would “inevitably fail.” Furthermore, Reichinnek noted that such bans would exclude children and youth from participating and accessing crucial information to which they have a right.
“What is needed are more educational offerings regarding media literacy-and these should not be restricted solely to children and young people,” Reichinnek emphasized. She further explained that security online is not achieved by excluding vulnerable individuals, but rather by compelling platforms to take responsibility, curbing the power of their algorithms, and properly enforcing current legal frameworks.
Reichinnek severely criticized Minister Prien, claiming that the minister is stuck in a pattern of offering “simple solutions to complex problems.” Adding to her critique, she expressed strong irritation that Prien is once again promoting a push despite needing to know that such regulations can only be implemented at the EU level.
Minister Prien plans to use the recommendations from an expert commission to present fundamental guidelines for improving youth protection online by October.
