German media on Monday that the ruling German party Coalition is discussing setting age limits on social media users and considering banning teenagers under the age of 16 from using social media.

Jean-Claude Juncker, chairman of the Alliance Parliamentary Party of Germany¡¯s prime minister, told the New Osnabrück newspaper on Friday that the Alliance is discussing tougher regulations on minors¡¯ use of the network.

According to Spahn, banning teenagers from using social media is a tough measure, ¡°but we also ban minors from exposure to alcohol and nicotine to protect their still-developing brains.¡±

According to a poll conducted by Munich Economic Research Institute in Germany in September, 85% of nearly 3,000 respondents aged 18 to 69 supported setting the minimum age for using social media at 16. It is worth noting that among the more than 1,000 respondents aged 14 to 17, nearly half support Germany to follow Australia's example in introducing relevant laws.

The Australian parliament passed a bill in November last year banning the use of most social media platforms by minors under the age of 16. If social media companies fail to take reasonable measures to prevent people under the age of 16 from using their platforms, they will be fined at a maximum of $50 million (approximately RMB 2,34 billion).

Currently in Germany, minors aged 13 to 16 are required to use social media platforms with parental consent. French President Emmanuel Macron said in June this year that the EU would push to ban access to social media for minors aged 15 and if the EU did not take action, France would consider its own legislation.