Germany Weighs Ban on Instagram and TikTok for Younger โTeens
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Berlin, Germany – Germany’s leadingโข center-right political โขbloc, comprised of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and Christian Social Union (CSU), is actively considering legislation that would prohibit individuals under the age of 16 from using popular social media platforms โInstagram and TikTok. The proposal,currently under discussion,aims to strengthen youth protection measures in the digital sphere.
CDU/CSU faction leader โคJens Spahn revealed the deliberations in aโ recent interview with the Neue Osnabrรผcker Zeitung (NOZ).”What we discussโ intensely in โฃthe Union isโ the question of โadditional rulesโค for youth protection. One option would be an age โlimit for โsocial media at 16 years,”โ Spahn stated.
The potential ban stemsโ from growing concerns about the impactโ of social media on adolescent brain advancement.โ Spahn highlighted research suggesting a concerning parallel between social media engagement and addictive substances. “Brain researchers say that Instagram โand TikTok also address the reward system in the brain about โtheโ same way as heroin,” he explained, underscoring the severity ofโ the issue as perceived by party members.
Spahnโ acknowledged the challenges of enforcement, drawingโค a comparison to existing restrictions on alcohol and nicotine. “Bans โare a sharpโข sword. โคBut we also โforbidโฃ young people to protect โคalcohol and nicotine to protect the growing brain,” he said. While no final decision has been reached – “we still โขweigh,” Spahnโค confirmed – โthe possibility of stricter regulations โremains on the table. โ He โฃadded, “if TikTok looksโค like an even harder drug, we have โto do something.”
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