Denmark Sets Minimum Age for Social Media Use at 15

Staff Reporter | PNN

The Danish government announced on Friday that the minimum age for accessing some social media platforms will be set at 15 years. This decision aims to protect the mental health of children and adolescents.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen had previously called for restrictions on children’s social media use in a parliamentary speech. The majority party in parliament has supported the plan.

The statement added that children under 15 should not access platforms that may expose them to harmful content or features. The ministry did not specify which platforms the restriction applies to or how it will be enforced, but parental approval may allow younger children, including 13-year-olds, to open accounts.

As part of the initiative, 160 million Danish kroner (about $24.8 million) has been allocated to 14 projects to improve children and adolescents’ digital safety and lives. The European Union’s Digital Services Act implementation will also be strengthened, and funding will support alternative social media platforms.

Digitalization Minister Caroline Stage said: “Denmark is now setting a national age limit for social media and taking effective steps to protect children and adolescents’ digital welfare. We are taking a necessary stance against a situation where large tech companies have long allowed children unrestricted access to their platforms.”

This decision aligns with Australia’s plans to ban social media use for children under 16, with penalties of up to AUD 50 million for companies violating the rules. Australia also announced that platforms like Reddit and Kick (live-streaming) must prevent accounts for children under 16, covering Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, and YouTube.