Denmark Proposes Social Media Ban for Kids Under 15
Government plan would set one of Europe’s strictest age limits for social platforms, fueling debate on digital wellbeing, youth safety, and big tech accountability.
Denmark is poised to introduce some of the strongest protections for minors in Europe’s digital landscape, unveiling a proposal to ban social media access for children under 15. Announced in November 2025 by the Ministry of Digitalisation, the measure would require parliamentary approval before becoming law but marks a notable shift in how governments are approaching the intersection of technology, child welfare, and platform responsibility.
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What the Proposal Entails
If enacted, Denmark’s age-limit law would bar users under 15 from joining or using major social media platforms—such as TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, and others—though the final list of targeted platforms has yet to be specified. Notably, the proposal allows parents or guardians, after a formal assessment, to grant consent for children starting at age 13 to access social media. According to the Ministry, the goal is to protect children from harmful content and commercial influences that can disrupt sleep, concentration, and overall wellbeing.
As Digitalisation Minister Caroline Stage stated in November, Denmark is “finally drawing a line in the sand and setting a clear direction.” She emphasized that large tech platforms have had “free rein in children’s rooms for far too long,” arguing that it is no longer possible for parents and educators to manage these pressures alone.
A Growing Global Trend
Denmark’s initiative closely follows Australia, which will enforce its own social media age restriction—barring children under 16—starting December 10, 2025. Australia’s law applies to leading platforms, including TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, and Snapchat. Companies that fail to comply could face fines up to 50 million Australian dollars (approximately €28 million).
Pressure for stronger digital child protection is rising in Europe and globally. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has signaled interest in a possible EU-wide restriction, although any such regulation remains under consideration rather than imminent.
The Challenge of Enforcement
While Denmark’s intent is clear, critical questions remain over implementation. The Digitalisation Ministry has not detailed which platforms will be covered or how age verification will function in practice. Millions of minors currently bypass age gates with ease; creating systems that are both effective and privacy-conscious remains a major technical and ethical hurdle.
Tech companies argue that age checks risk infringing user privacy and are difficult to scale. Despite these challenges, the political will for action is mounting. Denmark’s multi-party backers argue the law is necessary because the scale of digital risks to children now exceeds the ability of any family or school to address alone.
What This Means for Big Tech
The stakes for social media companies are high. Youth engagement is crucial to audience growth for Meta, TikTok, Snapchat, and others. While these companies state they will comply with new regulations, they are also expected to push back against restrictions that could curb usage and impact their business models.
If passed, Denmark’s law could accelerate moves toward more robust age-gating, built-in youth protections, and platform design changes across the industry. The debate is increasingly about “how” and not “if” to protect children online, and Denmark’s approach may serve as a model or test case for further regulatory action elsewhere in the EU.
Context Within EU Digital Policy
Denmark’s plan comes amid broader European regulatory shifts, such as the Digital Services Act, which imposes stricter controls on online platforms and prioritizes child safety. The proposed age-limit law would complement these efforts, signaling to other EU states—and tech giants—that digital child protection is becoming a frontline policy concern.
As policymakers in Denmark and beyond weigh the costs, benefits, and practicalities of age-based social media restrictions, one fact is clear: the era of unchecked youth access to digital platforms is drawing to a close. If Denmark’s proposal is enacted, it could set a new standard for child protection in Europe and force a fundamental rethink in how tech giants design, police, and profit from the next generation of online life.
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