Denmark Plans Social Media Ban for Children Under 15 with Parental Consent Option

Denmark is moving to ban social media use for children under 15, with an exception allowing parental consent for those aged 13 and above, as announced by Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. This initiative responds to growing concerns about the negative impact of social media on youth mental health, with studies showing high rates of early social media use among Danish children and rising anxiety and depression. Denmark's proposal aligns with Australia's recent implementation of a ban on social media accounts for children under 16, which includes strict age verification and hefty fines for non-compliance. Public support for such bans is strong internationally, with surveys indicating a majority favoring restrictions on social media access for children under 14, citing benefits to mental health and social development. However, critics warn about enforcement challenges and advocate for education and platform accountability instead of outright bans. The Danish government is also pushing the European Union to adopt continent-wide age verification measures to better protect minors online.