AARHUS, Denmark: A possible minimum age for the use of social media is to be discussed at a European level, Danish Minister for Europe Marie Bjerre announced.
Denmark is currently holding the rotating European Union presidency and in charge of hosting discussions of EU ministers.
It was visible how social media affects children and well-being, Bjerre told journalists in Aarhus. This was probably the only area where more regulation was needed, she said.
In Germany, a representative survey by the opinion research institute YouGov recently revealed that more than 70 per cent of respondents would like to see a minimum age for access to social media such as Facebook, Instagram or TikTok.
According to the survey, 57 per cent said they were in favour of a minimum age of 16 for using social media, while 16 per cent were even of a minimum age of 18.
The issue however is controversial among German politicians. While German Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig, from the left-leaning SPD, is in favour of an age limit, conservative CSU leader Markus Söder argued against it.
He recently called the idea 'total rubbish' and 'out of touch with reality' in an interview with public service broadcaster ARD. A ban would make social media platforms even more interesting for young people and children.
Those in favour of age limits point to the addictive potential of social media.
There are also calls for reliable age verification systems for content that is not suitable for children and young people.
The European Commission is already working on a verification app for this purpose. It should make it easier for online platforms to restrict access for children and young people.
Meanwhile, Denmark promised on Thursday to push for Ukraine to join the EU, as the Nordic country welcomed Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky to mark the start of its six-month EU presidency. Ukraine launched its bid to become an EU member in the aftermath of Russia's 2022 war, but it has stalled because of opposition from Hungary.
"We must strengthen Ukraine. And we must weaken Russia," Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said in a statement, promising to mix increased military support to Kyiv with sanctions on Moscow.
Frederiksen has stressed the importance of European security, which she links to a strict migration policy, and the country has promised to push the agenda and champion Ukraine during its EU presidency.
The Aarhus meeting comes as the United States announced it would stop supplying some weapons to Ukraine, after President Donald Trump effectively nixed the country's attempts to join the Nato military alliance. - dpa/AFP
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
