Berlin. In the debate over a social media ban for children and teenagers under 14, Germany's Teachers' Association has warned against blanket solutions.
German teachers reject social media ban for under-14s, push for digital literacy
A blanket ban on social media for under-14s is neither enforceable nor pedagogically sound, Stefan Düll, president of the German Teachers' Association, told the Rheinische Post (Tuesday edition). "Many forms of age verification also violate the principle of data minimization."
Instead of sliding toward censorship and data exploitation, we need a tiered age regulation system based on EU standards—with clear protections for children and clear obligations for platforms, Düll demanded. "Bans that no one enforces will be circumvented. What truly protects young people is competence, self-control, and resilience," the teachers' union president said.
Schools must prepare children for the digital wilderness—training them as digital innovators and guides. Parents must also set an example and reflect on their own media habits. Young people need to learn how to ride the digital wave—and how to get back up when they wipe out.
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