Denmark Proposes Ban on Social Media for Under-15s

The Danish government is proposing a ban on several social media apps for under-15s, according to the country’s prime minister. Mette Frederiksen stated, “We have unleashed a monster,” and “Cell phones and social media are stealing our children’s childhood.”

Research Findings

Research published by the Danish Welfare Commission earlier this year found that 94% of the country’s young people had one social media profile before they turn 13 – although this is the minimum age for many social media platforms. It also found that nine to 14-year-olds spent an average of three hours a day on TikTok and YouTube.

Proposal Details

Ms Frederiksen gave no details on how a ban would be enforced, but there is some public support for her proposal. In 2024, 50,000 people in Denmark signed a petition calling for a ban on TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram. According to Ms Frederiksen, parents should be able to give their children permission to have accounts from the age of 13.

Restrictions in Schools

Earlier this year, the Danish government also announced it would ban cell phones in schools and after-school clubs, meaning almost all children between the ages of seven and 16-17 will be required by law not to bring their phones to school.

Global Comparison

Denmark’s restrictions follow similar steps around the world. In the UK, internet and social media companies now face fines of up to 10% of turnover if they allow young users to view harmful content, under sweeping laws that have set age restrictions on adult content. The British government has also refused to rule out a total ban on social media for under-16s.

Other Countries’ Initiatives

In Australia, there will be a ban on children under 16 from December, with the logistics of the ban currently being worked out. A recent study showed that a system similar to age verification in the UK could enforce the ban in the country. In France, a parliamentary commission last month recommended banning children under 15 from accessing social media in the country and introducing a nightly "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.