Should children and teenagers only be allowed access to social media at a later age? This question is currently being debated worldwide. Australia has already introduced a ban on social media for children under 14. There are also political calls for age restrictions on platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat in Europe and Germany. But what does the research say?
In this episode of Tonspur Wissen, host Ursula Weidenfeld speaks with Dr. Stephan Dreyer, a senior researcher at the Leibniz Institute for Media Research | Hans-Bredow-Institut in Hamburg. He explains why the discussion is more complex than it often appears, what risks social media can pose, and why simple bans may not be the best solution.
Listen to the German-speaking Tonspur Wissen podcast episode “Wäre ein Social Media Verbot sinnvoll“? [Would a Social Meda Ban Make Sense?].
“Tonspur Wissen” is a joint production of the Rheinische Post and the Leibniz Association.