Mannheim-based communication scientist Sarah Geber is receiving 600,000 euros to investigate the influence of media coverage surrounding the potential ban. “We want to understand how public opinion on social media regulation in Germany is formed and what role media coverage plays in this,” says Geber. It highlights both the risks and the potential of social media and points out differences in how adolescents use it.” “Time and again, social media and its effects are compared to drugs,” explains the researcher. Positive aspects of social media, such as social networking or access to information, on the other hand, are rarely included in the debate.