Teacher voices concern over underage access to social media platforms, initiates petition
In a pickle, many parents find themselves, echoes Jeanette Deckers, a mom of two. They witness the harmful effects of so-called "social" media on their kids yet dread the thought of placing a ban that might make their young ones social pariahs. "Pressure from society is palpable," Jeanette says, urging political action. In mid-November, she initiated an open petition, and since then, over 93,500 signatures have been collected, generating a nationwide stir. Jeanette has also backed an e-petition advocating for a debate in the Bundestag (the exact date is yet to be set).
"The status quo fails to protect children and teenagers in the 'social' media," states Jeanette Deckers. Psychologists raise warnings of several ailments: media addiction, depression, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, obesity, aggression, communication disorders, loneliness, learning difficulties, sleep deprivation, myopia, suicides... Content that minors come across, intentionally or not (violence, pornography, war crimes, animal cruelty...), infringes upon child and youth protection, says Deckers. Predictably, she's faced vicious comments, but it's young people who have overwhelmingly supported her.
In Australia, Jeanette points out, authorities drew the line, passing a law that prevents uncontrolled access to social media for those under 16 – aiming to curb coarsening, disinhibition, and rising violence among children and youth. "The service providers must be compelled to implement effective age verification," she insists, reminding us of Australian legislation. This could be an anonymous age verification via the ID card eID function.
While the EU is pondering over a common minimum age for minors to access social media platforms, setting the stage for discussions in countries like France, Spain, Greece, Denmark, Cyprus, and Slovenia[1][2][3], the specific legislative landscape within Germany remains ambiguous. Nevertheless, Germany, being an EU member, may adjust to any EU-wide regulations instituted for minors' access to social media. Nonetheless, more detailed information on German legislation is needed for an exact comparison.
- Jeanette Deckers, in her advocacy for education-and-self-development and protection of children, has initiated an open petition in Germany against the harmful effects of social media on young ones, which has already gathered over 93,500 signatures.
- In her crusade for children's safety, Jeanette Deckers also supports an e-petition calling for a debate in the Bundestag about the need for more stringent regulations on social media, especially considering the array of issues these platforms can exacerbate such as media addiction, depression, anxiety disorders, and communication disorders.
- Looking towards other countries for guidance, Jeanette Deckers suggests that Germany could learn from Australia's approach to social media, where authorities have made it mandatory for service providers to implement effective age verification to prevent uncontrolled access for those under 16, aiming to curb coarsening, disinhibition, and rising violence among children and youth.
