Danes set to follow Aussies with U-15 social media ban
Denmark is moving toward a ban on social media access for children under 15, following Australia’s recent decision to restrict platforms for users under 16, as part of a wider effort to shield young people from online harms.
The Danish government announced that it has reached an agreement with its three coalition partners and two opposition parties to introduce the restriction, which could become law by mid-2026. Parents may be allowed to grant limited access to children aged 13 to 14, though the Digital Affairs Ministry has yet to detail how the rule will be enforced.
While platforms like Facebook, Instagram and TikTok already prohibit users under 13, Danish authorities say such policies have proven ineffective – an estimated 98% of children under 13 use social media anyway, including nearly half of all children under 10.
Digital Affairs Minister Caroline Stage, unveiling the proposal, said Denmark could no longer allow tech platforms to operate unchecked in children's lives.
“For too long, social media platforms have had free play in children’s lives,” she said. “In the digital world, we don’t have bouncers, and we need that.”
Public reaction has been mixed. Some teens say the ban would disconnect them from online communities. Fifteen-year-old Ronja Zander said she relies on social media to stay connected with friends she has never met offline. Others, like 14-year-old Chloe Courage Fjelstrup-Matthisen, say they have encountered disturbing content and cyberbullying, and believe stricter controls could help.
Parents broadly support the move, saying children were given smartphones and online access too early. “Kids don’t understand what’s normal online,” said Line Pedersen from Nykøbing.
To enforce the ban, Denmark plans to use a new “digital evidence” app launching next spring, which will allow users to display official age certificates. Stage emphasized that government intervention is necessary because tech companies often fail to enforce their own age limits.
Experts warn, however, that simply raising age barriers may not be enough. Anne Mette Thorhauge, associate professor at the University of Copenhagen, noted that social media functions as a critical civic space for young people – much like traditional media did for earlier generations – and restricting access could affect their democratic participation.
The proposal aligns Denmark with a growing global push for tighter online safety rules for minors. Malaysia plans to bar social media use for children under 16 starting next year, while Norway is considering similar measures. China already regulates smartphone and gaming time for minors.
Under the EU’s Digital Services Act, platforms are required to offer parental controls and age verification, but implementation varies widely across member states.
The political agreement was presented at a press conference in Copenhagen on November 7 by Digitalisation Minister Caroline Stage and party representatives supporting the plan.
Source: UNB/AP