Key points
- Germany is preparing restrictions on social media for children and teenagers under the age of 16.
- A complete ban may apply to children under the age of 14.
- Teenagers aged 14-16 will have access to separate content.
- The initiative aims to protect children in the digital environment.
- The new rules may be adopted later this year.
On 16 February 2026, the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) backed an initiative by the conservatives, led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, to introduce restrictions on the use of social media for children under the age of 16. This was reported by Bloomberg.
According to the proposal, children under 14 could be completely banned from accessing social media platforms, while teenagers aged 14 to 16 would be granted access only to specially curated content.
We need safe digital spaces – without addictive algorithms and without unacceptable content such as hate speech, incitement, disinformation and violence.
– Armand Zorn, Deputy Chair of the SPD parliamentary group.
The Social Democrats are also considering changes to the rules for adult users, under which algorithmic recommendations would only be activated at the user’s request.
The joint proposal by the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the SPD is expected to be reviewed and possibly adopted by the German government later this year.
Read also:
The Ministry of Education and Science has instructed schools to filter children’s access to dangerous content on the internet
