German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has expressed openness to potentially banning social media usage by children, amid rising concerns about their development and social behavior. In a recent interview on the podcast Machtwechsel, Merz highlighted alarming statistics indicating that children as young as 14 are spending upwards of five hours daily in front of screens, indicating a worrying trend in their socialization processes. This extensive screen time is raising red flags about the negative impacts on young people’s personality and behavioral issues.

Merz acknowledged his general caution towards outright bans; however, he emphasized the need for protective measures that prioritize children's well-being. He pointed out that childhood should be a time for play, learning, and engagement, and excessive reliance on digital platforms for social interaction might hinder this development. His remarks reflect a broader concern within German society regarding the balance between technology use and healthy childhood experiences.

The Chancellor noted that the government is actively considering various restrictive strategies, which may include age restrictions and requirements for parental consent in order to manage children's interaction with social media platforms more effectively. This approach underscores a growing recognition of the necessity for safeguarding the younger population in an age dominated by technology-based interactions.