Denmark to Ban Social Media for Under-15s

The Danish government has announced plans to prohibit social media use for children under the age of 15. This decision comes as a response to growing concerns about the impact of social platforms on youth mental health. However, the proposed ban includes a provision allowing parents to grant permission for children aged 13 and 14 to access certain social media platforms.

Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen recently called for these restrictions in her address to parliament, highlighting the need to protect young people's well-being. Digitalization Minister Caroline Stage Olsen emphasized that social media platforms often consume children's time and negatively affect their childhood experiences.

The ban targets popular platforms among Danish youth, including Snapchat, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok. According to a recent analysis, young people in Denmark spend an average of 2 hours and 40 minutes daily on social media. This move follows similar actions taken by other countries, such as Australia, which implemented a social media ban for children under 16 last year.

A majority of Danish parliament members have expressed support for this plan, indicating a likely approval when it comes to a formal vote.