North Rhine-Westphalia
Bonn students welcome social media ban for children
By Tobias Al Shomer
Published September 16, 2026
Students in Bonn support the EU Commission's new plans to ban social media for children under the age of 13.
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Bonn students find a ban on children good
Image source: WDR
WDR
2 min 37 sec.
Available until 15.09.2028.
EU social media plans
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Bonn students find a ban on children good
Last Update:
09/16/2026, 7:43 pm
Students in Bonn support the EU Commission's new plans to ban social media for children under the age of 13. You say yourself: Social media is a dangerous place for children. For several reasons.
By Tobias Al Shomer
The regional representation of the EU Commission in Bonn is located at the Reuterbrücke, opposite the former Chancellery. 60 pupils from the Clara Schumann Gymnasium and the Duisdorf Vocational College are invited to her speech on the state of the Union by EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
The head of the commission has been speaking for over an hour when things get restless among the students. At the end of her speech, she announced tougher rules for social media. Tomorrow, she wants to present the main features of the so-called "EU Kids Act".
No social media under 13
In concrete terms, this means that children under the age of 13 are not allowed to use social media. Young people aged 13 to 15 may also not have their own accounts, but only so-called mini accounts, which must be set up by parents or carers. For adolescents aged 15 to 18, the law requires platforms to provide a safe environment. But what exactly does that mean? And how is this controlled?
Around 60 pupils watched the speech live together.
Image source: WDR
The students here at the Regional Representation of the EU Commission are no longer affected by this. You are already 18 years old or will soon be. Many think the planned tougher rules are good. Social media is a dangerous place for children. There are strange guys who write to you, one explains.
A student also agrees and says that the children could better build social relationships again instead of constantly scrolling on Instagram. A schoolmate adds that the attention span is also affected by social media.
Lack of concentration at school
Her teacher Jochen Leyhe can confirm this. Lack of concentration is a major issue. In some cases, pupils could not even concentrate for one lesson. Cyberbullying is also a problem. This is closely related to social media, explains the political teacher.
For the head of the regional representation of the EU Commission in Bonn, Stefan Lock, it is clear that there is a need for action in the area of social media. He thinks it's good that the new initiative is so determined. For example, he welcomes the reversal of the burden of proof. This means that social media companies must prove that they can protect their users and that they can no longer evade responsibility.
However, it may still take time for the tougher rules to apply. First the EU Parliament has to give its consent, then the EU Council. And that can take time.
Unsere Quellen
Observations of the WDR reporter on site
Teacher Jochen Leyhe
Student of Clara Schumann-Gymnasium Bonn
Regional Representation of the EU Commission Bonn
Broadcast: WDR Fernsehen, local time Bonn, 16.09.2026, 7:30 pm
Children, nursery & school
Bonn
WDR
Rheinland
Politics
Consumer
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