What's happened
Denmark plans to restrict social media for children under 15, with some parental exemptions from age 13. The move aims to address concerns over youth mental health and online safety, following similar measures in Australia. Legislation is expected to pass after months of debate, with enforcement relying on digital ID and age verification systems.
What's behind the headline?
Denmark's initiative reflects a broader global trend of governments seeking to regulate children's online activity amid rising concerns over mental health and misinformation. The legislation's reliance on digital ID and age verification apps indicates a shift towards technological enforcement, but practical challenges remain, such as ensuring compliance and preventing circumvention. The move also criticizes tech giants for their perceived lack of investment in child safety, highlighting a tension between regulation and corporate responsibility. If successful, Denmark's law could set a precedent for other EU countries, potentially leading to stricter international standards. However, enforcement will depend heavily on cooperation from tech platforms and the development of reliable verification tools, which are still evolving.
What the papers say
The Japan Times reports that Denmark's government, supported by a majority in parliament, aims to restrict social media for children under 15, with some parental exemptions from age 13, citing concerns over youth mental health. The Independent emphasizes the practical enforcement challenges, noting that existing age restrictions are often bypassed and that the legislation may take months to implement. SBS highlights Australia's upcoming ban for children under 16, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stressing the importance of success and international cooperation. Reuters details Denmark's legislative process and the potential fines for tech companies that fail to verify ages, while AP News underscores the broader European context and the role of digital ID systems. Arab News discusses the rise of deepfakes and Denmark's proposed law to protect personal likenesses, illustrating the expanding scope of digital regulation. Overall, these sources depict a concerted effort by Denmark and other nations to regulate online spaces for children, balancing safety concerns with enforcement complexities.
How we got here
The Danish government, led by Digitalization Minister Caroline Stage Olsen, announced plans to restrict social media access for children under 15, citing concerns over mental health and online safety. The move follows Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen's call for restrictions and Australia's recent ban on social media for under-16s. The legislation aims to curb harmful online content and excessive screen time, with enforcement through digital ID systems and potential fines for tech companies failing to verify ages.
Go deeper
Common question
-
Why Is Denmark Banning Social Media for Kids Under 15?
Denmark is taking a bold step by planning to ban social media access for children under 15. This move aims to protect young people's mental health and well-being amid growing concerns about online harms. But what does this mean for kids, parents, and the future of online safety? Below, we explore the key questions about Denmark's new social media restrictions and what they could mean worldwide.
-
Which countries are banning or restricting social media for kids?
As concerns over children's mental health and online safety grow, several countries are implementing restrictions on social media use for minors. These measures aim to protect young users from harmful content and digital risks. But which nations are leading these efforts, and what do these policies entail? Below, we explore the key countries involved, their reasons for restrictions, and how these policies compare worldwide.
More on these topics
-
Denmark, officially the Kingdom of Denmark, is a Nordic country in Northern Europe. Denmark proper, which is the southernmost of the Scandinavian countries, consists of a peninsula, Jutland, and an archipelago of 443 named islands, with the largest being
-
Instagram is an American photo and video sharing social networking service owned by Facebook, created by Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger and originally launched on iOS in October 2010.
-
TikTok/Douyin is a Chinese video-sharing social networking service owned by ByteDance, a Beijing-based Internet technology company founded in 2012 by Zhang Yiming.
-
Mette Frederiksen (Danish: [ˈmetə ˈfʁeðˀəʁeksn̩] ; born 19 November 1977) is a Danish politician who has served as Prime Minister of Denmark since 2019 and Leader of the Social Democrats since 2015. The second woman to hold either office, she is