Denmark Takes Bold Stand Against Social Media Risks for Children
In a significant move to protect young people from digital harm, the Danish government has revealed plans to prohibit social media access for anyone under the age of 15. The announcement, made on Friday 7th November 2025, represents one of Europe's most ambitious attempts to regulate children's online activity amidst growing concerns about their exposure to inappropriate content.
Addressing the Scale of the Problem
Caroline Stage, Denmark's Minister for Digital Affairs, provided startling statistics to The Associated Press that underscore the urgency of this initiative. She revealed that 94% of Danish children under 13 already maintain profiles on at least one social media platform, with more than half of those under 10 doing the same. "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," Minister Stage emphasised.
The minister didn't mince words when addressing technology companies' responsibilities, acknowledging them as "the greatest companies that we have" while criticising their apparent unwillingness to adequately invest in child safety measures despite their substantial resources.
Implementation and Enforcement Strategy
The proposed ban won't take effect immediately, with legislation expected to take several months to pass through parliament. Minister Stage assured that Denmark would "hurry, but we won't do it too quickly because we need to make sure that the regulation is right and that there is no loopholes for the tech giants to go through."
Enforcement remains a critical question, particularly given that many platforms already technically restrict users under 13. Denmark plans to leverage its national electronic ID system, which nearly all citizens over 13 possess, and develop an age-verification app. While the government cannot force technology companies to use this specific application, it can mandate proper age verification systems, with potential fines of up to 6% of global income for non-compliance through EU mechanisms.
The policy would allow some parents, following specific assessment, to grant social media access to children from age 13, creating a limited exception to the general prohibition.
Global Context and Wider Implications
Denmark's initiative follows Australia's landmark decision in December to implement the world's first social media ban for children under 16, establishing substantial fines for platforms that systematically fail to prevent underage usage. This growing international movement reflects deepening concerns about how digital platforms affect young people's wellbeing.
The Danish ministry highlighted several worrying trends, noting 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." They characterised this as "a development that no parent, teacher or educator can stop alone."
Minister Stage concluded with a firm commitment: "We've given the tech giants so many chances to stand up and to do something about what is happening on their platforms. They haven't done it. So now we will take over the steering wheel and make sure that our children's futures are safe."
