Germany Divided: Majority Backs Stricter Social Media Rules, Youth Seek Balance
Concerns over social media's impact on youth have sparked debate in Germany. A majority supports stricter age restrictions and bans on smartphones in schools. Meanwhile, young people express contrasting views on the role of social media and AI in education.
A significant portion of the population, 66%, believes social media use harms children's mental health and academic performance. This worry has led to a majority supporting stricter age restrictions, with 85% of adults and 47% of young people favouring a minimum age of 16 for social media accounts. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, has called for legally regulated minimum ages to protect youth from harmful algorithms and addictive content.
The debate extends to schools, with 64% of adults and 57% of young people advocating for a ban on mobile phone use during lessons at primary schools. This comes as no surprise, given that 78% of young people and 58% of adults spend more than an hour a day with social media on weekdays.
Despite these concerns, 68% of young people would prefer a world with social media, contrasting with 47% of adults who would prefer a world without it. Moreover, 66% of young people want AI to be included in lessons, suggesting a divide in opinion between adults and youth regarding technology's role in education.
The German population's concern for youth's well-being has led to a majority supporting stricter regulations on social media use and smartphone bans in schools. However, young people's differing views on social media's role and AI's potential in education highlight the need for balanced discussions and policies that consider all perspectives.
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