Teachers fight against age limit: Social media is part of reality!

Teachers fight against age limit: Social media is part of reality!

On June 18, 2025, a heated debate about age limits for social media is causing a stir. While the German Teachers' Association vehemently opposes a legal regulation, the Federal Minister of Justice Stefan Düll is of the opinion that such ideas are “remote from reality and do not make sense”. In his view, platforms like TikTok, Instagram and Facebook are relevant parts of the world in which young people need to learn to juggle. Bans would not do justice to the real challenges, as he spoke to daily news explained.

However, the Federal Minister of Justice Stefanie Hubig (SPD) sees the issue somewhat differently and has clearly spoken out in favor of an age limit for the use of social networks. This is happening in the context of the plan to strengthen child and youth protection in the digital world set out in the coalition agreement. Schleswig-Holstein's Prime Minister Daniel Günther (CDU) is also in favor of a ban on social media for those under 16, which is met with divided opinions in society. A recent poll shows that the majority of adults, including those aged 18 to 24, support the proposal.

Digital participation as a right

Another argument is brought into the discussion by the Federal Center for Child and Youth Media Protection (BzKJ). This is vehemently committed to the digital participation of children and young people. According to Sebastian Gutknecht, director of the BzKJ, young people have a right to move safely in digital living spaces, which also includes social media. A general ban is therefore considered too far-reaching, as shown on BzKJ is to be read.

Recent initiatives by other countries, such as Australia's reorganization, which introduces an age limit of 16 for certain platforms, are seen as an approach to protecting children and young people. In Germany, however, the Digital Services Act and the Youth Protection Act provide guidelines to protect children and young people without excluding them from digital opportunities.

Accident at Lake Constance

Aside from the discussion about digital security, an accident on Lake Constance caused concerned voices. A man was electrocuted while transporting his sailboat while crossing a railroad crossing. Fortunately, he was flown to hospital in a rescue helicopter, but a serious situation remains that is affecting train traffic between Radolfzell and Konstanz.
Train traffic on this route is currently only accessible on a single track; A full repair is expected to be completed by 7:30 a.m. today. This leads to delays and partial cancellations on the RE2 line from Karlsruhe to Konstanz and on the S6, which is canceled between Radolfzell and Konstanz.

In light of current events, the debate over age limits on social media highlights not only the diverse challenges faced by young people, but also the need to make sense of the digital space. How those responsible in Germany will respond to the challenges remains to be seen.