Denmark Announces Ban on Social Media for Under-15s

Denmark’s government today announced an agreement to ban access to social media for individuals under the age of 15, a move intended to protect children from harmful online content and commercial exploitation.

The agreement, reached yesterday, will allow parents to grant access to social media for children aged 13 with a specific assessment, but otherwise restricts platforms like TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram to older teens. This measure follows a similar ban enacted in Australia in December, which set the minimum age for social media use at 16. Denmark’s Minister for Digital Affairs, Caroline Stage, stated that 94% of Danish children under 13 already have profiles on at least one social media platform, with over half of those under 10 participating. “The amount of time they spend online — the amount of violence, self-harm that they are exposed to online — is simply too great a risk for our children,” Stage said.

Enforcement of the ban remains a key challenge, as many platforms already have age restrictions that are often circumvented. Denmark plans to leverage its national electronic ID system and develop an age-verification app, while also pushing for compliance through the European Union’s Digital Services Act, which could impose fines of up to 6% of a company’s global income for non-compliance. This action reflects a growing global concern about the impact of social media on youth mental health and well-being, as highlighted by recent investigations into platforms like TikTok.

Lawmakers are now working to draft legislation, a process expected to take several months to ensure no loopholes exist for tech companies. Stage emphasized that the government is not seeking to exclude children from the digital world entirely, but rather to shield them from harmful content and pressures.

Officials stated that the legislation will proceed cautiously, but with determination to ensure the safety of Danish children online.