Denmark’s government has announced plans to ban social media access for children under 15, marking a significant step in the European Union’s effort to safeguard minors from online harms. This initiative, which allows parents to grant access to children aged 13 following a specific assessment, underscores a growing global concern over the impact of social media on young users. The decision follows increasing scrutiny of social media platforms for enabling harmful content and commercial exploitation among pre-teens.
Caroline Stage, Denmark’s minister for digital affairs, highlighted the government’s determination to take control of regulating online spaces to ensure the safety of future generations. She emphasized that while the regulation will be implemented swiftly, caution is required to ensure that the measures are effective and do not allow loopholes for tech giants to exploit. The plan, which is among the most sweeping steps by a European Union government to limit social media use among teens and younger children, reflects concerns about the increasing online presence of children and the need for robust regulatory action.