Denmark Proposes Under-15 Social Media Ban

Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announced a proposal to ban social media for children under 15, with parental permission allowed from age 13. This initiative, expected to take effect next year, aims to address rising anxiety, depression, and concentration issues among young people, which Frederiksen attributes to mobile phones and social networks. The move follows Australia's implementation of a similar ban for under-16s, affecting platforms such as Meta Platforms, Snap Inc., ByteDance — TikTok Shop, and Google — YouTube. Norway is also considering raising its minimum social media age to 15. Denmark's Minister of Digitalisation, Caroline Stage Olsen, called the announcement a 'breakthrough,' emphasizing the need to protect children from platforms that have not prioritized their wellbeing. This development reflects a growing global concern among governments, including Greece and the Netherlands, about the impact of social media on children's mental health and development.