Denmark Proposes Ban on Social Media Use for Under-15s

Denmark’s government has stepped forward with a proposal that would ban social media access for children under the age of 15. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen presented the idea at the opening of Parliament, arguing that mobile phones and social platforms are stealing childhood. The Guardian+1

While she did not list all the platforms covered, she indicated that some social media services would fall under the ban. Parents would still get a say: under the draft plan, those aged 13-14 could use social media if their guardians permit. euronews+1

What Problems the Proposal Aims to Address

First and foremost, the government highlights mental-health concerns. Frederiksen said many young people suffer from anxiety, depression, and reduced attention spans, which she links directly to social media and screen use. The Guardian+2Sky News+2

Moreover, she points out that children often encounter harmful content online. She insists that social media platforms expose kids to images and messages they should never see. The Guardian+1

In addition, Denmark’s wellbeing commission has flagged how early many kids start using social media: about 94% of Danish children had a social media profile before they turned 13. euronews+2Sky News+2

The Proposed Rules: What They Would Do

Under the plan:

• Young people under 15 would not access designated social media platforms. Sky News+2Enca+2
• However, parents could grant permission for their children aged 13-14 to use social media. euronews+1
• The law has not yet defined which platforms it will regulate. euronews+2Enca+2
• Denmark may bring the ban into effect next year, although the exact timeline remains uncertain. The Guardian+1

Supporters and Critics: Divided Views

Supporters argue that the measure would protect children. They claim it will reduce exposure to addictive algorithms, cyberbullying, and disturbing content. They believe children need more offline time and healthier attention spans. euronews+2euronews+2

Critics challenge the proposal’s feasibility. They ask how enforcement will work if age verification proves hard. They also worry about privacy, digital rights, and whether restricting access might lead children to unsafe or unregulated spaces online instead. While Denmark has not yet released detailed enforcement plans, these concerns dominate public discussion. euronews+1

Comparison: What Other Nations Are Doing

Denmark isn’t alone. Australia recently moved to ban social media for under-16s. euronews+2Reuters+2 Norway has proposed raising the minimum age to 15. euronews+1

Within the EU, Denmark has pushed for stricter platform rules, age verification tools, and stronger enforcement of the Digital Services Act to protect minors online. euronews+1

Potential Impacts: What Could Change

If approved, the ban could shift how children interact with technology. It could:

• Reduce time spent on social media for those under 15
• Push parents to monitor children’s online lives more closely
• Force social media companies to build stronger age verification systems or restrict access
• Create new debates over digital rights, child protection, and government regulation

Challenges Ahead: What Must Be Resolved

There remain several unanswered questions:

• Which platforms will the law cover?
• How will Denmark verify users’ ages without infringing privacy?
• What penalties will platforms face for non-compliance?
• How will the law balance protecting children with preserving parental rights and free expression?

The government must address these issues if it hopes to turn the proposal into effective legislation rather than symbolic rhetoric.

Conclusion: A Turning Point in Digital Childhood

Denmark’s proposal marks a significant step toward regulating young people’s digital exposure. Unless it changes, children under 15 could soon face strict limits on social media. Still, the outcome depends on how lawmakers define terms, enforce rules, and listen to both expert advice and public concerns. Ultimately, Denmark may become a model for others—but only if it gets the balance right.