Denmark to ban social media for children under 15 DW 11/07/2025

""As one of the first countries in the EU, Denmark is now taking a groundbreaking step towards introducing age limits on social media," said the country's digitalization ministry in a statement. "This is done to protect children and young people in the digital world." "As a starting point, children under the age of 15 should not have access to platforms that may expose them to harmful content or harmful features," the statement said."

"The ministry did not specify which social media platforms are affected or how the ban will be enforced. However, exceptions can be made if parents believe their child should have access to social media at an earlier age. According to the statement, parents will have the opportunity to consent to their children's access, if their children are as young as 13."

"The agreement also envisages allocating 160 million Danish kroner (21.4 million; $24.8 million) to 14 initiatives aimed at strengthening the protection of children and young people online and creating a better framework for their digital lives. As part of the agreement, EU's Digital Services Act supervision will be strengthened, and funds will be allocated to support the development of alternative social media platforms. Additionally, extra efforts will be made to combat illegal marketing by influencers, the statement mentioned."

The Danish government agreed to implement a minimum age requirement of 15 on certain social media platforms to protect children and young people. The measure follows concerns over youth mental health and has majority parliamentary support. The ministry said children under 15 should not access platforms that may expose them to harmful content or features. The ministry did not specify which platforms or enforcement mechanisms, but parents can consent for children as young as 13. The agreement allocates 160 million Danish kroner to 14 initiatives, strengthens EU Digital Services Act supervision, supports alternative platforms, and targets illegal influencer marketing.

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