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Germany plans social media bans for children under 13
The German cabinet has approved key points for stricter social media regulations to protect children and adolescents. The proposed measures include a general ban on social media use for children under 13, with exceptions only for services proven to be child-friendly. For those aged 13 to 18, the government plans staggered restrictions. These national rules are intended as a transition until comprehensive EU-wide regulations, such as the EU Kids Act, are implemented.
To support these measures, the government plans to use the German EUDI-Wallet 'd-you' for reliable technical age verification starting in 2027. Other initiatives include the 'KI-Seepferdchen' to teach primary school children digital literacy and the deactivation of recommendation algorithms by default to prevent addictive usage.
Separately, Kerstin Claus, the Federal Commissioner for the Protection of Children against Sexual Abuse, has warned that the risk of sexual violence against minors is at an all-time high, particularly in digital spaces. She highlighted the growing dangers posed by artificial intelligence, such as the creation of sexualized images from harmless photos. Claus called for improved legal protections, better funding for counseling services, and mandatory child protection concepts in schools to address these systemic gaps.
Entities
European Union · Federal Commissioner for the Protection of Children and Young People against Sex · German Federal Cabinet · Germany · Karin Prien · Kerstin Claus · Kinderschutzbund · Sabine Andresen · Weizenbaum Institute
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Weizenbaum Institute identified remaining protection gaps in a government draft law aimed at combating digital violence. nius.de
- [● 9 SOURCES] Federal Commissioner Kerstin Claus stated that the risk of children experiencing sexual violence is currently at an all-time high. www.fehmarn24.de · www.waltroper-zeitung.de · www.op-online.de · www.volksfreund.de · www.tagesschau.de · +4 more
- [● 11 SOURCES] Adolescents between 13 and 18 would face staggered restrictions depending on their age. nius.de · radioosnabrueck.de · www.halternerzeitung.de · www.onetz.de · www.nachrichten-heute.net · +5 more
- [● 4 SOURCES] A reform of the German Youth Protection Act is being planned as part of these measures. www.halternerzeitung.de · www.hellwegeranzeiger.de · www.nn.de
- [● 5 SOURCES] According to crime statistics, police recorded 17,126 cases of child sexual abuse in 2025. www.fehmarn24.de · www.waltroper-zeitung.de · www.op-online.de · www.volksfreund.de · www.tagesschau.de
- [● 11 SOURCES] The German cabinet has approved guidelines for stricter rules regarding social media use by children and adolescents. nius.de · radioosnabrueck.de · weiden24.de · www.dattelner-morgenpost.de · www.halternerzeitung.de · +5 more
- [● 11 SOURCES] Children under 13 would be generally prohibited from using social networks in Germany, with exceptions for proven child-friendly services. nius.de · radioosnabrueck.de · weiden24.de · www.dattelner-morgenpost.de · www.halternerzeitung.de · +5 more
- [● 4 SOURCES] The German EUDI-Wallet 'd-you' is planned to enable reliable technical age verification starting in 2027. nius.de · radioosnabrueck.de · www.nachrichten-heute.net · digitaldaily.de