As Australia begins enforcing a world first ban on social media for children under 16, another country is getting ready to take a similar step. Denmark has announced plans to sharply limit social media access for young people, signaling a growing global push to rein in the influence of platforms on children’s lives.
As per an AP report, last month, the Danish government said it had reached a political agreement to ban access to social media for anyone under the age of 15. The deal has backing from the three ruling coalition parties and two opposition parties, giving it strong support in parliament. If passed, it would become one of the strictest social media rules in Europe and could turn into law by mid 2026.
Under the proposal, some parents may be allowed to give their children access to social media from the age of 13, though the government has not yet shared full details. A public consultation and multiple rounds of parliamentary debate are still pending.
The move comes despite the fact that most social media platforms already claim to ban users under 13. Danish authorities say those rules are largely ignored. According to government data, around 98% of Danish children under 13 have at least one social media account, and nearly half of children under 10 are already active online.
Caroline Stage, Denmark’s minister for digital affairs, says the problem is a lack of real enforcement. Speaking to the Associated Press, she compared social media to nightlife. In the physical world, she said, bouncers check ages at the door. Online, there are no such gatekeepers.
Australia’s new law has added urgency to the debate. Under the Australian rules, platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, X and YouTube can be fined up to 50 million Australian dollars if they fail to remove accounts belonging to children under 16. Denmark is closely watching how those measures play out.
Reactions at home are mixed. Some teenagers worry they will lose touch with online friends and communities. Others admit they have already seen disturbing content online, from violence to bullying. Many parents, meanwhile, support the idea, saying children were given phones and social media access far too early.
How Denmark plans to enforce the ban remains unclear. Officials have hinted that a new digital ID app, expected next year, could be used to verify age before allowing access to social media.
Experts are divided. Some warn that strict bans may be difficult to enforce and could limit children’s rights to expression and participation in society. Others argue that governments can no longer rely on tech companies to police themselves.
Denmark is not alone. Malaysia plans to ban social media for users under 16 next year, Norway is exploring tighter rules, and China already limits screen and gaming time for children. Together, these moves suggest that after Australia, more countries are willing to redraw the boundaries of childhood in the digital age.
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