German States Propose Age Restrictions for Social Media

The minister-presidents of Germany's federal states have concluded deliberations on a package of proposals set to significantly alter the digital landscape and public safety in Germany. The main point of discussion became the issue of age restrictions on social media, with most states advocating for a threshold of 14 or 16 years. This initiative is supported by a European Union expert group, led by a specialist from Ulm, which is preparing recommendations for the entire Community. The debate gained momentum in the context of reports about thirteen-year-olds using makeup to deceive AI-based age recognition algorithms. Since the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA) came into force in 2024, EU member states have gained greater powers to enforce the safety of minors on online platforms.Beyond the digital sphere, the minister-presidents focused on safety in public transport. They proposed the widespread introduction of bodycams for railway staff and a requirement to place the owner's photo on the popular Deutschlandticket pass. These changes are intended to directly counter aggression against ticket inspectors and conductors. Additionally, there were calls for harsher penalties for antisemitic incidents and the broad application of electronic monitoring in the form of ankle bracelets for perpetrators of domestic violence. „Wir wollen eine gemeinsame Linie beim Kinderschutz im Internet, damit Eltern und Jugendliche Klarheit über die Regeln haben.” (We want a common line on child protection on the internet so that parents and young people have clarity about the rules.) — Minister-President of Thuringia (CDU), advocating for the harmonization of child protection online.Despite general agreement on the direction of changes, some regions, like Bavaria, show greater restraint regarding the pace of implementing radical bans on social media. Simultaneously, in the economic sphere, a surprising proposal emerged from the head of Volkswagen's works council, who suggested that in the era of the automotive industry crisis, arms production could become a new option for the Wolfsburg giant. The German automotive industry is currently undergoing its deepest structural crisis in decades, forcing conglomerates like Volkswagen to seek alternative revenue sources and ways to maintain employment.