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Merz: Supports Introducing Age Limit for Social Media

Published February 19, 2026, 14:09
Merz: Supports Introducing Age Limit for Social Media

Chancellor Friedrich Merz called for the mandatory use of real names online, emphasizing that users should not be allowed to express themselves anonymously. He argued that this is necessary to protect a free society and criticized anonymity, saying it is often used by people who demand transparency from others while hiding themselves. Merz warned of the danger posed by algorithms and artificial intelligence to a free society, as they can be used for targeted and controlled influence. He expressed particular concern about the excessive use of social media by children and young people. The proposal for a “real name” policy will be discussed at the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) conference, while the Social Democratic Party (SPD) opposes such a policy, arguing that anonymity is important for protecting persecuted political activists.