Munich – November 12, 2026 -- Some 48 percent of internet users aged 16 to 29 already buy products through social networks, according to a Bitkom study cited as the Bavarian Regulatory Authority for New Media (BLM) opened its Forum Medienpädagogik conference in Munich today.
Influencers present products in Reels and Stories that are often barely distinguishable from personal recommendations. The conference examines how these purchase incentives affect children and teenagers, and which skills they need to handle them independently.
BLM President Schmiege calls for binding rules on youth consumer manipulation
BLM President Thorsten Schmiege wants media education and consumer education to be combined more closely, so young people can recognize commercial interests. He also called for clear rules against companies that use mechanisms to manipulate young people's buying behavior, beyond media literacy efforts alone.
Consumer federation targets infinite scroll, autoplay and notifications
Sabrina Wagner of the Federation of German Consumer Organisations (Verbraucherzentrale Bundesverband) identified endless scrolling, autoplay and constant notifications as design features that can prolong usage, trigger impulse purchases and lead users to disclose personal data. She said such practices endanger self-determination and can strain the mental health of adolescents.
Wagner demanded consistent enforcement of the Digital Services Act. She also called for a Digital Fairness Act to set clear limits on practices that encourage addictive use.
Conference agenda covers influencer marketing, in-game spending and shopping addiction
Held under the motto "Between Content, Consumption and Competence - Social Commerce as a Challenge for Young People," the conference also addresses money spent in online games, the effects of social commerce on identity formation, and the risk of compulsive buying.