Denmark: Denmark has announced plans to ban children under the age of 15 from accessing social media, becoming one of the first European countries to take such a strong step to protect young users online. The move, led by the Ministry of Digitalisation, aims to safeguard children’s mental health and reduce exposure to harmful online content.
Under the new agreement, children below 15 will not be allowed to have social media accounts. However, parents will be given limited authority to grant access to children as young as 13 if they deem it appropriate. The government said the initiative reflects growing concern about how social media affects the well-being, focus, and emotional health of young people.
“Denmark is taking a groundbreaking step to introduce age limits on social media to protect children and young people in the digital world,” the Ministry of Digitalisation said in a statement. The ministry added that platforms exposing children to harmful content or addictive features will fall under the new restrictions.
The plan follows Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen’s recent call for tighter control over children’s online activities. A majority of political parties in Denmark’s parliament have signaled support, paving the way for the proposal to become law.
Digitalisation Minister Caroline Stage said the ban was a necessary response to growing evidence that social media disrupts sleep, concentration, and emotional balance among youth. She noted that “large tech platforms have had free rein in children’s rooms for far too long” and that stronger regulation is essential to reverse the trend.
The agreement also includes measures to strengthen enforcement of the European Union’s Digital Services Act, boost funding for developing alternative child-friendly platforms, and crack down on illegal marketing by influencers.
Denmark’s move mirrors Australia’s upcoming legislation, set to take effect in December, which will prohibit children under 16 from using social media platforms and impose fines on companies that fail to comply. Australia’s law requires platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Snapchat, and X to close accounts belonging to users under the age threshold.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen previously praised Australia’s decision, calling it a common-sense step. Denmark’s initiative now places it among a growing number of nations seeking to hold social media giants accountable for the impact of their platforms on children.
