CDU's push for social media ban under 16 years of age

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The CDU is making a push for a statutory minimum age for social networks. According to consistent media reports, the Schleswig-Holstein state association is calling for this in a motion for the CDU federal party congress on February 20 and 21 in Stuttgart.

Accordingly, Schleswig-Holstein's CDU is calling for "a statutory minimum age of 16 years for open platforms, flanked by mandatory age verification." A social media ban for children under 16 takes "into account the special developmental needs of young people," the motion, which is available to dpa among others, states. The "Australian model" could serve as a role model.

"Australian Model"

In Australia, a law came into force in December 2025 that prohibits the use of certain social media platforms for young people under 16 years of age. The ten affected platforms – including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, and X – subsequently blocked the accounts of millions of children.

The Schleswig-Holstein Minister President Daniel Günther (CDU) has recently advocated for a social media ban for young people and more control over alternative news platforms. Whether the motion will gain majority support within the CDU remains to be seen.

However, the motion by the North CDU is unlikely to have immediate consequences. According to dpa information, the motion commission for the federal party congress recommends referring it to, among others, the Federal Committee for Digital Affairs and the Federal Working Group of Christian Democratic Lawyers, as well as the CDU/CSU parliamentary group.

CDU General Secretary Carsten Linnemann supports the initiative. "I am in favor of social media from the age of 16," he told Bild newspaper. "We must protect children in the digital world from hate, violence, crime, and manipulative disinformation."

Social Democrats skeptical

For this, Linnemann would still have to convince the coalition partner. While Federal Minister of Justice Stefanie Hubig (SPD) can fundamentally imagine such a ban, other Social Democrats are strictly against it.

Critics argue that a social media ban, as also provided for in the North CDU's motion, would go hand in hand with mandatory age verification. This would then likely lead to a requirement for identity verification for adults as well and the end of anonymous internet use, according to fears.

The federal government has established an expert commission for "Child and Youth Protection in the Digital World." The body, composed of scientists and practitioners from fields such as medicine and youth protection, began its work last autumn. It is expected to develop recommendations by the summer.

EU Commission warns

A social media ban for children and young people is currently also being discussed in other European countries, including Spain and France. There are also proponents of such a ban in the European Parliament. However, experts assume that individual bans in the countries could conflict with EU law.

The EU Commission also warns of this, seeing the European Digital Services Act as the decisive regulatory framework. Measures that go beyond this and impose additional obligations on platforms are a "clear no-go," says a Commission spokesperson, referring to the Spaniards' plans. "The DSA regulates that."

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