The German Ethics Council (Deutscher Ethikrat) has formally opposed a general, state-mandated ban on social media for children and teenagers. In an official statement, the council concluded that a legal minimum age is an unsuitable tool for protecting minors, arguing that digital platforms offer essential opportunities for social participation and knowledge acquisition. Instead, the body advocates for a tiered protection concept that emphasizes parental responsibility, technical safeguards, and the enforcement of existing digital regulations.
Why the Ethics Council Rejects a Blanket Ban
The German Ethics Council argues that a flat prohibition fails to address the complexity of digital risks. According to Council Chairman Helmut Frister, social media acts as a dual-use space; while it presents dangers like cyberbullying and exposure to harmful content, it remains a primary venue for youth communication and education.
The council’s position is informed by international precedents, specifically the legislative experience in Australia. Since December 2025, Australia has enforced a ban on social media accounts for users under 16. However, preliminary government assessments indicate that the law is frequently circumvented via Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and other technical workarounds. The Ethics Council notes that such bans often provide a false sense of security while reducing the pressure on platform operators to implement robust, age-appropriate design features.
Addressing Digital Risks Beyond Social Media
A central argument in the council’s report is that the focus on "social media" is becoming outdated. Judith Simon, a spokesperson for the council’s statement, explains that digital risks are no longer confined to traditional platforms.
Children and teenagers increasingly interact with generative AI, such as chatbots and image generators, which carry distinct risks regarding misinformation and inappropriate content. Furthermore, messenger services like WhatsApp and interactive online games often feature chat functions that facilitate contact with strangers, regardless of age restrictions on social media apps. The council asserts that any effective protective framework must account for this broader digital ecosystem rather than targeting specific categories of apps.
The Role of Existing Regulation and Parents
The Ethics Council recommends strengthening the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA), which has been in effect since February 2024. The council suggests that this framework provides a sufficient legal basis to force platforms to mitigate risks to minors.
Regarding implementation, the council emphasizes the following:
- Parental Autonomy: Parents retain the primary responsibility for guiding their children’s digital habits. The state should support this role through better technical tools and digital literacy mentorship rather than stripping parents of their decision-making authority.
- Modernizing Standards: The council calls for an update to the Jugendmedienschutz-Staatsvertrag (Interstate Treaty on the Protection of Minors in the Media) to better reflect current digital realities.
- Privacy-Preserving Verification: When age verification is technically necessary—such as for adult content—the council advises against central digital tracking. Instead, they recommend storing age verification directly on the user’s device (e.g., smartphone or tablet) to preserve data privacy.
Next Steps in German Policy
The debate regarding youth safety in the digital space remains a focal point for German policymakers. The Ethics Council’s statement was initiated in October 2025 following a request from Bundestag President Julia Klöckner. While this report provides a significant expert perspective, a separate expert commission appointed by Family Minister Karin Prien is expected to release its own findings on the matter on June 24, 2026. These combined efforts will likely shape upcoming legislative discussions on how to balance youth protection with the right to digital participation.