The CDU wants mandatory age verification barring under-16s from creating accounts on online platforms

Germany Chancellor Friedrich Merz's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party has proposed banning social media for minors under 16, Bild reported on Thursday.

The proposal, which will reportedly be discussed at the party convention on February 20-21, would require mandatory age verification and deny access to users aged 15 and younger to platforms such as TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook, aiming to protect children from online abuse.

"Strict rules on age limits for using social media can provide effective protection for children and teenagers from the effects of hate and incitement, psychological pressure, bullying, or harmful content online," the motion seen by the media outlet reads.

A survey conducted for Bild by pollster INSA in December suggested that 60% of Germans support banning social media use for children under 16, while around a quarter of respondents oppose such a move.

Governments worldwide have been exploring similar legislation over the past years. In December, Australia barred children under 16 from social media, becoming the first country to introduce such a ban. As of January, platforms removed or deactivated about 4.7 million under16 accounts, according to the country's eSafety Commissioner.

A similar ban is expected to take effect in Malaysia in July, while Türkiye has announced plans to bar children under 15 from social media and require platforms to block users in that age group from creating accounts.

The European Parliament adopted a non-binding resolution in November calling for a minimum age of 16 to ensure "age-appropriate online engagement." Denmark has proposed banning users under 15, while France, Spain, Italy, and Greece are jointly testing an age-verification app.

Last year, Russia banned Roblox, a gaming platform marketed largely to children, citing extremist content and LGBTQ propaganda, which are banned in the country.

Concerns over child safety online have led to mounting legal pressure on social media companies. Facebook's parent company, Meta, faces multiple US lawsuits, including in New Mexico, for allegedly exposing children to harm and sexual abuse. Another high-profile trial in Los Angeles involves families and schools suing Meta, TikTok, and YouTube in the first US product liability case, alleging the platforms were designed to addict children and harm their mental health.

(RT.com)