Social media use among children and teenagers has sparked growing concern across Germany, with more politicians and parents calling for stricter regulations. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram often occupy hours of young people’s daily lives, and some content has been described as disturbing. Following the example of Australia, which has already set an age limit for social media use, Germany is now seeing increasing support for a similar measure.
Several German politicians have voiced their support for stricter rules. Green Party politician Cem Özdemir compared social media access to driving a car: “We don’t let teenagers drive without a license. There are lessons and gradual guidance. We should approach social media the same way.” Education Minister Karin Prien (CDU) announced plans to establish an expert commission tasked with proposing measures to protect children in the digital world.
A recent Forsa survey commissioned by Stern magazine indicates that the majority of Germans back a ban on social media for those under 16. The poll, conducted on August 14–15, 2025, found that 54% of respondents support such a ban, while 41% are against restrictions and 5% remained undecided.
Support for the ban is particularly strong among parents and older citizens. In households with children, as well as among respondents aged 60 and above, 60% favor a restriction. Even among young adults aged 18–29, a slim majority of 51% support the ban. Political affiliation also plays a role: the majority of Union (54%), SPD (69%), and Left Party (57%) supporters favor restrictions, whereas Green Party (53%) and AfD (49%) voters lean against them.
The concern over social media use is backed by research. An OECD study reports that 15-year-olds in Germany spend nearly seven hours a day in front of screens, with two of those hours dedicated to entertainment on school days. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube account for a significant portion of this screen time.
With growing public support and political momentum, Germany is considering measures similar to those already in place in countries like Australia. The expert commission led by Education Minister Prien is expected to provide recommendations soon, potentially shaping the future of social media regulation for minors in Germany.
Survey Details and Methodology
The findings of this report are based on a Forsa survey conducted on August 14–15, 2025, commissioned by Stern and RTL Germany. A total of 1,001 respondents participated in the telephone survey, providing a representative overview of public opinion on social media use among children and teenagers in Germany.
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