Friedrich Merz, the German Chancellor from the CDU party, has expressed his support for a potential ban on social media usage for minors. He emphasized the alarming trend of children spending an excessive amount of time on screens, sometimes exceeding five hours a day. Merz argued that such extensive screen time, which affects children's socialization, could lead to serious personality deficiencies and behavioral issues in youth. This stance reflects growing concerns in society regarding the impact of social media on young people's mental health and social skills.

The call for regulation comes ahead of the CDU party conference, where delegates will discuss a proposal from Schleswig-Holstein's local party chapter advocating for raising the minimum age for platforms like Instagram. This initiative highlights a broader legislative approach to manage the use of social media among younger audiences, combining it with other societal service regulations to ensure a balanced approach to youth welfare.

As the government plans to delay any decisions regarding a social media ban until after the summer, this discussion is poised to continue gaining traction. The debate not only encompasses the mental health implications for minors but also touches on parental control and responsibility in digital consumption. The outcome of this proposal could set important precedents for how digital platforms are regulated and accessed by underage users in Germany.