According to Denish media, the government is planning to impose ban on social media usage for children under 15 for the well-being of the youth. However, parents will be allowed to give permission for children as young as 13 to access certain platforms under supervision.
"As one of the first countries in the EU, Denmark is now taking a groundbreaking step towards introducing age limits on social media," said the country's digitalization ministry in a statement.
The Danish government unveiled the plan on Friday following Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen’s earlier call-in parliament to restrict social media access for minors. The proposal comes as part of a broader effort to address rising concerns about children’s exposure to digital platforms and their effects on mental health.
Digitalization Minister Caroline Stage Olsen said the government could no longer ignore the growing problem. "This is done to protect children and young people in the digital world", the minister added.
the statement said that the children under the age of 15 should not have access to platforms that may expose them to harmful content or harmful features.
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The minster further stated that the so-called social media thrive on stealing our children’s time, childhood, and well-being and we should stop that now.
A majority of political parties in Denmark’s parliament have already expressed support for the plan ahead of its formal vote, signaling broad political consensus on the issue.
The Danish Competition and Consumer Authority has mentioned in an analytical report from February that the social media platforms most used by children in the country include Snapchat, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok.
The report revealed that children in Denmark spend an average of 2 hours and 40 minutes daily on social media. The findings added weight to growing worries about excessive screen time and its link to anxiety, sleep disruption, and other behavioral issues.
Denmark’s move mirrors similar efforts worldwide. Australia, for instance, imposed a ban last year restricting children under 16 from using social media platforms.
By taking legislative action, Denmark joins a growing list of nations prioritizing online safety reforms, marking a turning point in the debate over how much access minors should have to digital spaces.
