Reddit crisis: Millions of users suddenly locked out – that’s what’s behind it!

Reddit crisis: Millions of users suddenly locked out – that’s what’s behind it!

On Tuesday, April 21, 2025, the social media platform Reddit was unavailable for several hours, leading to a massive increase in reports of disruptions. According to Downdetector, over 112,400 users reported problems with the service. The disturbances began around 11:39 a.m. ET. Most users had difficulty using the mobile app, while others were unable to access the website. Reddit itself confirmed the technical difficulties on its status page and stated that it is currently investigating the error messages. However, the platform is now working smoothly again.

Although the exact causes of the outage were not disclosed, it is not the first widespread disruption at Reddit. A similar incident occurred in March 2023, triggered by problems with an internal server migration. During the same period, other platforms such as Twitter and Discord also experienced technical glitches, raising concerns about the reliability of such services.

Impact of social media on society

A recent survey shows that two thirds of Germans view social media as having a negative impact on society. This critical view is particularly widespread among those with higher education. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, once valued for their connectivity and information flow, now face growing skepticism. The main points of criticism are the strain on social interaction, the spread of misinformation and the loss of respectful interaction caused by anonymity and distance.

According to the Foundation for Future Issues, a key reason for the negative assessment is the spread of disinformation. Algorithms promote emotionally charged and polarizing content, creating echo chambers that reinforce societal divisions. Users often only receive content that confirms their own opinions, which can increase feelings of isolation – a phenomenon known as the “paradox of loneliness.”

The call for regulation

Constant online presence is seen as a danger, especially for younger generations, as it can negatively impact well-being and lead to anxiety disorders and depression. Cyberbullying is another worrying issue that primarily affects teenagers. In the future, the debate about social media will become more important. This could result in increasing calls for stricter regulations and improved protections against disinformation.

Discussions about introducing a mandatory minimum age for using social networks as well as stricter age controls and protection measures for young users could gain momentum in the near future. Despite challenges, society's use of social media is expected to continue, but under increasing pressure to curb its negative effects.

For more information on Reddit's technical difficulties, see Kosmo and on the topic of social media and its impact on society, see Stiftung für Zukunftsfragen.