Germany's CDU weighs social media age curbs for under-16s

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's Christian Democrat Union is considering limiting access to social media platforms for children under the age of 16, senior party members said, as a global movement towards tighter restrictions gathers pace.



Since Australia became the first country to ban the use of social media platforms by children last year, a growing number of countries in Europe have taken similar steps on concerns over the perceived negative effects of social media use on young people.



The head of the CDU's influential labour wing, Dennis Radtke, said the "dynamic developments in social media" were outstripping media literacy.



"In many places, social media is a collection of hate and fake news. I, therefore, welcome the idea of following Australia's example and introducing an age limit," he told Reuters.