Overview
- In a podcast interview, Friedrich Merz said he is "very favorable" to setting an age limit on services such as Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, outlining possibilities from outright bans to parent‑authorized, age‑verified access.
- The CDU plans to debate the issue at its Stuttgart congress this week, as the SPD pushes an under‑14 ban with simplified app versions for 14‑ and 15‑year‑olds and the AfD warns of added bureaucracy.
- Australia is implementing one of the strictest regimes by requiring platforms to remove accounts of users under 16 or face fines up to AUD 49.5 million, with Reddit and Kick set to be added to the under‑16 banned list on December 10.
- Industry critics argue Australia’s rules are vague and risk being symbolic because universal age verification is not mandated, while Twitch remains under review and services like Roblox, Discord and WhatsApp are not banned.
- France’s lower house has approved a ban for users under 15 that awaits Senate review, and Denmark has announced plans to bar under‑15s with potential parental exceptions from age 13 if adopted.