It was an intense moment on a talk show when 25-year-old influencer Levi Penell said that maybe people over 60 should be banned from using social media. The conversation was happening on a show where people usually argue about kids and the internet, but this time the focus flipped to older adults.

Penell started by saying kids should be slowly introduced to social media. But then he added: “I have the feeling that young people are more often able to distinguish AI-generated content from real content, for example, than older people.

“As a consequence, if we follow that line of argument, I would say that we might have to discuss a social media ban from the age of 60, or for older people.”

The comment got some applause but also plenty of backlash online.

One Facebook user said: “Just out of diapers and already wanting to ban the internet for people who have achieved something in their lives and worked their whole lives.” Others said he should focus on younger users first. Someone else commented: “We should start with our children first, because the problem is much bigger and more serious there…”

TV presenter Petra Gerster, who is 70, pushed back on the idea. She said older people need social media to stay connected and avoid loneliness. But not everyone disagreed with Penell. A supporter online said: “You can see in the comment sections time and time again that the young man is right!”

The discussion kept going as people argued whether adults need more control online too. One government official said there should be strict age checks for young users, while Penell said comparing social media to alcohol and prostitution was “outrageous.”

Former Family Affairs Minister Kristina Schröder said that parents should decide how much access their kids get. Penell later admitted that his idea was exaggerated on purpose. He said it was meant to get people thinking about how everyone uses social media, not just kids but all generations.