Drug Commissioner: Streeck wants tiered age ratings for social media

The Federal Government Commissioner for Addiction and Drug Issues, Hendrik Streeck (CDU), wants to initiate a comprehensive debate on youth protection in the digital world. He advocates for the introduction of tiered age ratings for social networks. The idea is inspired by the Voluntary Self-Regulation Body of the German Film Industry (FSK), which assigns age ratings of 0, 6, 12, 16, or 18 years for films in Germany. "I think it makes sense to consider tiered age limits – similar to the FSK," Streeck explained to the newspapers of the Funke group. He could imagine certain functions or content in apps being unlocked only with increasing age.

The politician justifies the need for increased protection by, for example, the mechanisms of platforms like Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook, which are specifically designed for long usage times. In particular, the algorithms that draw users into a continuous consumption spiral must be limited according to age. Streeck warns: "Children need safe spaces, not endless loops."

The call for regulation is underscored by alarming figures from the DAK-Gesundheit health insurance company: on a normal weekday, children, and adolescents spend an average of 150 minutes on social networks. The time increases to 224 minutes over the weekend.

For Streeck, the absolute duration is less the decisive criterion than the consequence for the life choices of young people. If leisure activities, friendships, exercise, hobbies, or academic performance suffer, excessive media consumption can quickly become an addiction. Just recently, the professor also warned here in an interview with heise online about concentration problems, sleep disorders, and increased susceptibility to depressive symptoms.

In this context, Streeck sees not only the platforms as responsible but also the parents. He advises them to pay attention early on and establish clear family rules. The addiction commissioner advocates for early, open, and non-accusatory conversations, sufficient sleep, and "fixed phone-free times."

Streeck opposes social media ban

At the same time, Streeck remains critical of a general social media ban for those under 16: "Digital media are part of the world of young people – you can't simply ignore them." Instead, it is necessary to strengthen digital participation, media literacy, and informational self-determination so that young people learn to critically evaluate content and develop their own opinions.

In general, the son of a child and adolescent psychiatrist emphasizes the responsibility of both the state and the platform operators: "When it comes to protecting such young people, we as a society must not rule out any means." In addition to age ratings, he demands consistently enforced rules and stronger requirements for service providers to minimize the risks of addictive designs.

European politics has also recognized this challenge. As early as October, the EU heads of state and government advocated for the introduction of age limits in social networks to protect minors in the digital space. However, they emphasized their national responsibilities.

Denmark takes the lead

In parallel, members of the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection of the EU Parliament expressed their concern about insufficient youth protection and warned of addiction risks, mental health problems, and exposure to illegal and harmful content. They appealed to the EU Commission to fully utilize the powers of the Digital Services Act (DSA) to impose fines or, in extreme cases, ban non-compliant websites and apps. Furthermore, they demand that addictive algorithms for minors be prohibited and that "dark patterns" be deactivated by default.

First EU states are acting: On Friday, the Danish government agreed with other parliamentary factions on the introduction of a minimum age for certain social networks starting at 15 years. Parents will have the option to allow their children to use them from the age of 13. In Germany, the debate is controversial. Federal Minister of Justice Stefanie Hubig (SPD) and Green Party leader Franziska Brantner support a minimum age. CSU leader Markus Söder, on the other hand, believes that a ban would make the platforms "even more interesting" for young people.

(nen)