A bold statement from 25-year-old influencer Levi Penell has sparked heated debate across Germany. Speaking on the show Hart aber fair, Penell suggested banning people over 60 from social media. His comment drew both applause and outrage.
Penell argued that younger users often recognize AI-generated content better than older generations. “If we follow that logic, maybe we should talk about a social media ban after 60,” he said. Many felt the remark was provocative, while others admitted it raised important questions about misinformation.
Die Journalistin Petra Gerster plädiert für ein "rigides Handyverbot bis 12 Jahre, bis zur siebten, achten Klasse". #hartaberfair pic.twitter.com/yjDBuAPUur
— hart aber fair (@hartaberfair) September 29, 2025
Not everyone agreed. TV presenter Petra Gerster, 70, pushed back, insisting that social media helps seniors stay connected and fight loneliness. Another critic wrote online, “Just out of diapers and already wanting to ban the internet for people who worked their whole lives.” Still, some users defended him, saying the problem is clearly visible in online comment sections.
In the end, Penell admitted his call was exaggerated but intentional. The real goal, he said, was to start a wider conversation: Who should be protected, and who should be trusted online? Should social media rules be stricter for some — or fair for all?
