Denmark Moves to Ban Social Media for Children Under 15

Government Unveils Sweeping Restrictions

The Danish government has announced a significant plan to ban social media access for children under the age of 15. This move, spearheaded by the Ministry of Digitalisation, is designed to shield young people from the detrimental effects of harmful content, online advertising, and the pressures of digital relationships. The announcement, made on November 7, 2025, positions Denmark among a growing number of nations seeking to regulate children's online interactions.

Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen had previously voiced concerns in October, stating that mobile phones and social networks were 'stealing our children's childhood' and contributing to increased anxiety and depression among youth. Digital Affairs Minister Caroline Stage Olsen highlighted the widespread use of social media among Danish children, noting that 94% of those under 13 and over half of those under 10 already have social media accounts. She emphasized that 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.'

Details of the Proposed Ban

Under the proposed legislation, a minimum age of 15 will be set for access to 'certain' social media platforms. However, the plan includes a provision allowing parents to grant consent for their children to access social media from the age of 13, following a 'specific assessment.'

The government's motivation stems from concerns over:

• Disruption to children's sleep, concentration, and peace
• Pressure from digital relationships and commercial interests
• Exposure to harmful content, including violence and self-harm

The Ministry of Digitalisation stated that 'children and young people have their sleep disrupted, lose their peace and concentration, and experience increasing pressure from digital relationships where adults are not always present.'

Enforcement and International Context

To enforce the ban, social media platforms will be mandated to implement robust age verification systems, aligning with the European Union's Digital Services Act. Denmark intends to leverage its national electronic ID system and develop a dedicated age-verification app. Minister Stage Olsen warned that non-compliant tech giants could face significant penalties, including fines of up to 6% of their global income, enforced through the EU.

This initiative follows similar actions in other countries. Australia is set to implement the world's first social media ban for children under 16 in December, with platforms facing fines for systemic failures to prevent underage accounts. Norway has also indicated plans to raise its minimum age limit for social media to 15.

Reactions and Future Steps

While the agreement has garnered support from a majority of parties across the political spectrum, some left-wing parties, including Red Unity, SF, and Alternative, have criticized the parental exemption clause. They argue that this provision could effectively create a 'de facto 13-year limit,' which they deem 'too unambitious' given the addictive algorithms of platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram.

The Danish government acknowledges that the legislation will take several months to pass, with Minister Stage Olsen assuring that the process will be thorough to ensure effective regulation without loopholes for tech companies. The plan also includes allocating 160 million Danish kroner (€21.4 million) to 14 initiatives aimed at strengthening online child protection and combating illegal marketing by influencers.