Teachers' association against age limit: reality or protection for children?

Teachers' association against age limit: reality or protection for children?

On June 18, 2025, in Baden-Württemberg, everything revolves around the controversial discussion about an age limit for the use of social media such as TikTok and Instagram. The German Teachers' Association has decided against a legal regulation. Association President Stefan Düll calls the idea "unrealistic and not useful". Although he recognizes the understandable desire to protect children, he sees bans as not very helpful. Social media are simply an integral part of reality in which young people have to learn to find their way around, continued, which also emphasizes that children and adolescents have the right to information, which is all the more important in the digital age. SWR reports that the teacher association calls for a clever deal with the Internet, which is required by both parents and schools.

The debate is no coincidence. Federal Minister of Justice Stefanie Hubig (SPD) has spoken out for an age limit to offer children in their privacy and promote their healthy development. It emphasizes that children and young people need protection instead of self -portrayal pressure. An age limit could also relieve parents who would have to discuss less on social media with their children. This view finds support in a current survey that shows that a majority of adults, especially under 18 to 24 year olds, advocate a ban on social media for under 16 year olds. Time continues that Schleswig-Holstein's Prime Minister Daniel Günther (CDU) also considers an age limit to be sensible and is strong for a prohibition of social media for children and adolescents.

international experiences

A look at the national borders shows how serious the topic is taken. In November 2024, Australia was the first country to introduce a ban on use for social media for young people who can only access platforms such as Facebook or Instagram from the age of 16. Initial experiences from other countries show positive effects on children and adolescents, such as less bullying and an increased concentration in schools. At the EU level, the minimum age for social media is discussed; States such as France, Greece, Spain and Belgium are calling for corresponding solutions. Tagesschau emphasizes that in Germany the discussion about a cell phone ban for schools is also continued.

In Germany, especially in Germany, there are no uniform regulations. Some federal states have already banned or plan restrictions, especially for primary schools. For example, elementary school students in Bavaria are not allowed to use mobile phones on the school premises, while a cell phone ban is introduced in Bremen up to 10th grade. Federal Minister of Family Affairs Karen Prien supports these measures and indicates the negative consequences of cell phone use. In Lower Saxony, on the other hand, Prime Minister Olaf Lies advocates a general ban on cell phones and emphasizes the decision -making competence of the schools.

This is how the discussion about dealing with social media and digital devices in schools and young people will not end so quickly. It remains to be seen whether and when a general ban will come, but it is clear that the topic is very popular and everyone involved is required to bring in their points of view.