Germany eyes a social media ban for children.

Eliza Gkritsi, Milena Wälde   Politico.eu18 February 2026
German Chancellor Merz has expressed his “sympathy” for a proposal to ban social media for under-14s ahead of a discussion among governing politicians starting Friday.

Calls for a social media ban are gathering pace in Germany as other European countries move ahead with similar measures in a bid to protect children’s mental and physical health.