German pediatricians demand strict social media rules, calling platforms 'sick and stupid' for youth

Pediatricians' alarm

The Berufsverband der Kinder- und Jugendärzte (BVKJ), Germany's professional association of pediatricians, is demanding stricter legal rules for online platforms such as TikTok and Facebook, citing what it calls proven harm to young users. Jakob Maske, the BVKJ's federal spokesperson and a pediatrician in Berlin-Schöneberg for 30 years, told the "Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung" in an interview published Saturday that the consequences of social media use among children are becoming increasingly visible in his daily practice. He said cases of risky screen use are rising steadily and that the federal government and Health Minister Carsten Linnemann (CDU) must finally act.

That social media makes young people sick and stupid has long been proven.

The BVKJ is now open to a social media ban for children up to about age 14, Maske said, provided that age restrictions cannot be circumvented by users. He pointed to England as an example of a country that has set national conditions for platforms, arguing that Germany has the means to do the same. "There has long been the possibility of setting national conditions for platforms," he said.

Parental failure

Maske directed sharp criticism at parents, accusing them of failing to set boundaries on screen use. He said parents need to set limits and serve as role models themselves, but that this happens far too rarely: either they do not try, or they fail when attempting to enforce rules. He described seeing parents and children glued to their smartphones in his waiting room, and noted that even toddlers are given headphones and tablets to keep them occupied. The pediatricians' guideline, he said, is "screen-free until age three."

Unfortunately, there is a serious failure of parents when it comes to social media and screen use.

Children can hardly escape the blatant influence on the platforms, and it is almost no longer possible for young people to form their own free opinion.

International regulatory landscape

The debate over the impact of social media on children has been ongoing in many countries for some time. France became the first EU country to enact a social media ban for children and adolescents under 15. Several other member states, including Spain, Greece, and Austria, are planning to legislate similar restrictions for minors up to a certain age. In Germany, Family Minister Karin Prien (CDU) has announced plans to introduce such a ban, a proposal that remains strongly contested. Australia, which was regarded as a pioneer with its own ban, has since acknowledged implementation problems.

Psychotherapy cuts

Beyond platform regulation, Maske appealed to Health Minister Linnemann to reverse planned cuts to psychotherapy services. Starting at the beginning of next year, reductions to short-term therapies are expected to lengthen wait times for young patients. Maske said adolescents with mental health conditions already wait roughly three-quarters of a year for appointments. Restricting care further, he argued, moves in the wrong direction given the high case numbers.

This is about the future of our children and therefore of our society.