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Social media ban legislation

Pressure is growing to hold social media platforms to account for data privacy and disinformation. The impact of app usage on mental health and the polarization of public discourse have also come under scrutiny.

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All Content on this topic

People use their phones

People use their phones

Social media makes people unhappy — World Happiness Report

The World Happiness Report found that life satisfaction among under-25s in some English-speaking countries has fallen.

DW Dokumentationen | Deutschland | Im Inneren der Cybermafia Love Like Lost

DW Dokumentationen | Deutschland | Im Inneren der Cybermafia Love Like Lost

Inside the cyber mafia

More than ever, digital platforms are being used for manipulation and blackmail.

Instagram-Screenshot showing SS-Brigadeführer Kurt Meyer alongside a text praising his courage

Instagram-Screenshot showing SS-Brigadeführer Kurt Meyer alongside a text praising his courage

Instagram accounts glorify Nazi Germany, distort Holocaust

In Instagram posts, Nazi perpetrators are glorified. Victims' organizations are outraged.

A person with long, colorful, textured hair extensions is standing outdoors and hugging the trunk of a tree with both arms. The individual is wearing a long‑sleeved top in a reddish‑purple color. The scene is set in a grassy park area with scattered trees, and a green trash bin is visible in the background. The lighting suggests a bright, sunny day in Kenya.

A person with long, colorful, textured hair extensions is standing outdoors and hugging the trunk of a tree with both arms. The individual is wearing a long‑sleeved top in a reddish‑purple color. The scene is set in a grassy park area with scattered trees, and a green trash bin is visible in the background. The lighting suggests a bright, sunny day in Kenya.

Kenya's young climate influencers driving real change

Three young Kenyan women are mobilizing people to participate in climate action

Website of Moltbook

Website of Moltbook

Meta to acquire Moltbook, social media site for AI agents

Moltbook, launched earlier this year, drew viral attention as an unusual online hub where AI agents discuss content.

Malawian Isaac Zuze, a bearded man wearing a white and beige sweater, is standing in an open-top bus with red seats, in a garage. Location: Malawi

Malawian Isaac Zuze, a bearded man wearing a white and beige sweater, is standing in an open-top bus with red seats, in a garage. Location: Malawi

African content creator market: how to make it pay

Malawian Isaac Zuze turned his social media presence into a rolling business.

Pakistani artist Maliha Abidi stands in a bright orange room with paintings in the background

Pakistani artist Maliha Abidi stands in a bright orange room with paintings in the background

Pakistani artist amplifies women voices on social media

Maliha Abidi uses social media to amplify Pakistani women’s voices and, through her art push for a change.

A young woman with long hair, wearing glasses, stands in a room surrounded by other people using sewing machines. Superimposed on either side of her are two images of mobile phones showing models in a fashion show (left) and a closeup of a person sewing a seam (on the right)

A young woman with long hair, wearing glasses, stands in a room surrounded by other people using sewing machines. Superimposed on either side of her are two images of mobile phones showing models in a fashion show (left) and a closeup of a person sewing a seam (on the right)

Young Bangladeshi designer gains success by going local

How a Bangladeshi designer has successfully used social media to launch her own fashion label.

DW | Shift | Frauen und Motorräder in Indien

DW | Shift | Frauen und Motorräder in Indien

Bhagyashree Borah: The motorcycle pioneer from Assam

Indian influencer Bhagyashree Borah challenges norms on social media and her motorcycle, inspiring young women.

A young boy looking at a smartphone (Gosford, Australie, October 2025)

A young boy looking at a smartphone (Gosford, Australie, October 2025)

Indonesia to ban social media for under-16s, minister says

Children under 16 years old in Indonesia will be prohibited from accessing TikTok, Roblox, Instagram among others.

Two silhouettes of a woman, one with the word "porn" written in it, seen on a red background

Two silhouettes of a woman, one with the word "porn" written in it, seen on a red background

Victims of deepfake porn demand action from tech companies

British lawmakers and victims are demanding more action from tech companies to stop sexually explicit deepfakes.

A younger person with multicolored braided hair takes a selfie in a lush, green outdoor setting somewhere in Kenya. The person is holding a smartphone at arm’s length while standing on a sunlit path surrounded by trees and foliage. The word “eco” appears in bright green text in the upper right corner.

A younger person with multicolored braided hair takes a selfie in a lush, green outdoor setting somewhere in Kenya. The person is holding a smartphone at arm’s length while standing on a sunlit path surrounded by trees and foliage. The word “eco” appears in bright green text in the upper right corner.

Community-led conservation: How small steps bring big change

Three young women in Kenya are using social media to inspire climate action with huge success.

Two weomen working together at a desk, reviewing information on a computer screen in a modern office setting.

Two weomen working together at a desk, reviewing information on a computer screen in a modern office setting.

How women make a life online

Women are finding support online to overcome outdated norms.

Nogaye Sene films herself among the crops on her farm in Joal Fadiout, Senegal

Nogaye Sene films herself among the crops on her farm in Joal Fadiout, Senegal

West African farmers conquer social media

Some farmers in West Africa use TikTok to tap into new markets and boost the image of their profession.

Smoke billows in Tehran following a US-Israeli air strike

Smoke billows in Tehran following a US-Israeli air strike

Fact check: Debunking social media claims about the Iran war

Videos claiming to show the US–Israel–Iran war are flooding social media. Many are fake or AI‑generated.

View on the luxury Burj al Arab Hotel in 2024.

View on the luxury Burj al Arab Hotel in 2024.

Iran strikes highlight Dubai influencers' free speech limits

Dubai influencers are accused of being tone-deaf as they react to Iranian missile attacks on the United Arab Emirates.

An X post showing an AI-generated video depicting human-like robots practice shooting with machine guns with mountains in the distance

An X post showing an AI-generated video depicting human-like robots practice shooting with machine guns with mountains in the distance

Fact check: Are China's robot soldiers just AI fakes?

Videos suggesting China may be building a robot army sound like science fiction, but social media says it’s real.

DW | The Baobab | Gespräch mit dem ghanaischen Anwalt und Aktivisten Oliver Barker-Vormawor

DW | The Baobab | Gespräch mit dem ghanaischen Anwalt und Aktivisten Oliver Barker-Vormawor

Ghana's role in the new US deportation framework

Is Ghana defending sovereignty, or reshaping its role in global migration policy?

Mark Zuckerberg arrives at trial in Los Angeles

Mark Zuckerberg arrives at trial in Los Angeles

Mark Zuckerberg testifies in social media addiction trial

Google and Mark Zuckerberg's Meta have been accused of deliberately making platforms addictive to children.

A young Australian holds a phone in silhouette

A young Australian holds a phone in silhouette

Europe looks to Australia's social media ban for kids

Australia has banned youths from social media since December — and its example has lessons for EU governments.

Gabon's President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema arrives at Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing

Gabon's President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema arrives at Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing

AfricaLink News: February 18

+ Malawi cracks down on public health workers side-jobs + EU renews Zimbabwe arms embargo + Gabon suspends social media

A young woman holds her head, feeling/looking sad

A young woman holds her head, feeling/looking sad

For a healthy break, don't check your ex's social media

Repeated checking of an ex-partner's social media intensifies heartbreak, prolongs longing and slows emotional recovery.

The application app of the AI chatbot Grok can be seen on the display of an iPhone

The application app of the AI chatbot Grok can be seen on the display of an iPhone

Spain to investigate big tech over AI child abuse imagery

Spain will investigate X, Meta, and TikTok for allegedly spreading child sex abuse material generated by AI.

A group of young men taking photos and recording videos with their smartphone in Mumbai

A group of young men taking photos and recording videos with their smartphone in Mumbai

Indian teens roll their eyes at talk of social media ban

India has joined the list of countries considering a social media ban for under-16s. Young Indians are not happy.

Two men sit outside and look at their phones

Two men sit outside and look at their phones

India tightens AI rules for social media platforms

Social media platforms will have to clearly label AI content and comply faster with takedown requests by authorities.

France debates social media ban for teenagers

France could become the first European country to impose social media restrictions for under 15-year-olds.

Social media icons displayed on a phone screen

Social media icons displayed on a phone screen

US: Meta, YouTube on trial over kids' social media addiction

A plaintiff alleged that Meta and YouTube designed addictive features that harm children's mental health.

TikTok: Teens turn drug use into content

A deeply concerning TikTok trend has teenagers filming themselves getting high and openly celebrating their drug use.

A closeup of a smartphone screen with a person's figure hovering over the WhatsApp icon. Other apps are seen, including Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, YouTube and Chrome

A closeup of a smartphone screen with a person's figure hovering over the WhatsApp icon. Other apps are seen, including Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, YouTube and Chrome

European nations gear up to ban social media for children

Some experts question how such a ban would work, especially given the EU's mixed track record on platform regulation.

A Spanish flag and a smartphone showing social media app icons on its screen

A Spanish flag and a smartphone showing social media app icons on its screen

Spain mulls protecting teens from 'digital Wild West'

Spain wants to ban social media for kids under the age of 16. In response, Elon Musk posted insults on his platform X.

This is a video still showing three men in hard hats and high-visibility vests filming as they stand in front of a construction site

This is a video still showing three men in hard hats and high-visibility vests filming as they stand in front of a construction site

Meet the British construction workers who are TikTok stars

Construction workers in Leicester lip-synch to popular tunes and become a hit on TikTok.

DW | Global Us | Epidemie der Einsamkeit in Zeiten von Internet und sozialen Medien

DW | Global Us | Epidemie der Einsamkeit in Zeiten von Internet und sozialen Medien

The loneliness epidemic changing young people

Despite constant online connection, many young people feel deeply lonely. Why is isolation rising?

A fan holds up a picture of IShowSpeed

A fan holds up a picture of IShowSpeed

What IShowSpeed's Africa tour reveals about his popularity

IShowSpeed, one of the world's most popular content creators, has completed a four-week Africa tour in 20 countries.

DW Sendung The 77 Percent | Rachel Nduati

DW Sendung The 77 Percent | Rachel Nduati

Do sex and money go hand in hand? — The 77 Percent

The 77 Percent explores the connection between money and relationships in Nairobi, Lagos and Johannesburg.

Facebook, TikTok, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram apps are seen on a smartphone in this illustration

Facebook, TikTok, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram apps are seen on a smartphone in this illustration

TikTok settles amid looming social media addiction trial

The social video platform is among the companies facing accusations that their sites deliberately addict and harm kids.

Social media apps on a smartphone screen

Social media apps on a smartphone screen

France's lawmakers vote to ban social media for under-15s

As social media usage has grown, it has heightened concerns about excessive screen time.

A person is shown in two side‑by‑side TikTok video screenshots, each filmed in front of a large bookshelf. In one screenshot they hold up several books while presenting "3 Books by Black Authors," and in the other they gesture while discussing "what I read this year."

A person is shown in two side‑by‑side TikTok video screenshots, each filmed in front of a large bookshelf. In one screenshot they hold up several books while presenting "3 Books by Black Authors," and in the other they gesture while discussing "what I read this year."

BookTok and AI are changing how you find books

Readers share book tips on BookTok — TikTok’s algorithm helps those recommendations reach millions.

A public bus in Kolkata, India. Archive image from 2024.

A public bus in Kolkata, India. Archive image from 2024.

India: Woman arrested over suicide of man she accused

Police in India arrest a woman who accused a man of sexual misconduct on social media, who then took his own life.

DW | The 77 Percent | 2025 | Moderation der Magazinsendung zu Körperbild und Medien

DW | The 77 Percent | 2025 | Moderation der Magazinsendung zu Körperbild und Medien

Body image, media, and the cost of perfection

We dive into the obsession with the 'ideal' body and face. From social media pressure to extreme body transformation.

X outages reported by thousands of users primarily in US

The site was also down briefly earlier this week.

Protestors in London stand behind a banner that reads 'Iran is in Darkness'

Protestors in London stand behind a banner that reads 'Iran is in Darkness'

Why Iran's communication blackout could become permanent

Iran's communication restrictions may become long-term, according to one expert, while ordinary people struggle.

Picture shows a finger and screen showing various social media platforms

Picture shows a finger and screen showing various social media platforms

Meta shuts over 544,000 Australian accounts after ban

The company removed Facebook, Instagram and Threads accounts to comply with Australia's social media ban for under-16s.

Promotional graphic for DW Love Matters episode on modern friendship challenges featuring the title "Why We Suck at Friendship Now." The image shows two people on a couch. The design includes the text "Love Matters with Leeza Mangaldas" and guest "Priyanka Paul, Artist," displayed on a vibrant pink and purple background.

Promotional graphic for DW Love Matters episode on modern friendship challenges featuring the title "Why We Suck at Friendship Now." The image shows two people on a couch. The design includes the text "Love Matters with Leeza Mangaldas" and guest "Priyanka Paul, Artist," displayed on a vibrant pink and purple background.

Friendships and loneliness: The adult reality

Love Matters explores why making and keeping friends today feels so hard — and how to change that.

Fokus Europa - Einsamkeit Symbolbild

Fokus Europa - Einsamkeit Symbolbild

How AI transforms warfare in Ukraine

Young people have large social networks; but now, they also feel lonelier than ever. How come?

A woman in the background, blurred and out of focus, holds a smartphone and looks at its screen

A woman in the background, blurred and out of focus, holds a smartphone and looks at its screen

Misogyny on social media

Why do women experience so much online hate, and how we can stop it?

A woman holds a smartphone showing several social media apps with a huge "locked" icon on the screen, taken in Munich, Germany, on December 10, 2025

A woman holds a smartphone showing several social media apps with a huge "locked" icon on the screen, taken in Munich, Germany, on December 10, 2025

France plans social media ban for children under 15: reports

Australia's world-first social-media ban for minors has pushed France to draft a similar law, affecting under-15s.

A composite image of Ria Chopra (L) and Leeza Mangaldas (R) sitting on a sofa debating against a pink-lilac background. The title, "The Love Language of Gen Z," is written above them.

A composite image of Ria Chopra (L) and Leeza Mangaldas (R) sitting on a sofa debating against a pink-lilac background. The title, "The Love Language of Gen Z," is written above them.

Gen Z: Love & dating in the age of Instagram

How is social media shaping relationships? Love Matters explores the love language of young Indians.

silhouette of woman holding her head is seen against the light background of a window

silhouette of woman holding her head is seen against the light background of a window

Young and lonely: Feeling isolated in a connected world

People are more connected than ever, but many have never felt so isolated. Why does loneliness hit people under 30 hard?

Karsten Wildberger looks to the camera while wearing a headset during a media conference in Berlin on May 5, 2025

Karsten Wildberger looks to the camera while wearing a headset during a media conference in Berlin on May 5, 2025

German minister sees 'merit' to social media ban for teens

Looking into age limits on social media is "more than justified," Digital Minister Karsten Wildberger said.

A search and rescue dog sniffs rubble after a 2023 earthquake in Turkey

A search and rescue dog sniffs rubble after a 2023 earthquake in Turkey

Can dogs really sense danger?

Research shows what canines really can sense — and how human projection fuels belief in their supernatural abilities.