Denmark to ban social media for under-15s

(Patria) - Denmark will ban the use of social media for those under 15, the Danish government announced yesterday, but parents will be able to give consent for children aged 13 and over to access certain platforms.

This move follows Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen's call in her speech to parliament in October to limit children's use of social media due to concerns for young people's mental health.

"So-called social media thrive on stealing our children's time, childhood, and well-being, and we are putting an end to that now," said Minister for Digitalisation Caroline Stage Olsen.

Most parties in parliament have announced they will support the plan ahead of an official vote.

Children in Denmark most commonly use Snapchat, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok, the government stated.

According to an analysis by the Danish Competition and Consumer Authority from February this year, young people in the country spend an average of two hours and 40 minutes a day on social media.

Denmark follows the example of Australia, which last year introduced a ban on social media for under-16s.