Denmark to ban social media access for under-15-year-olds

The move follows a call last month from Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen for restrictions on children's use of social media in her opening speech to Parliament, due to concerns about the mental health of young people today.

A majority of parties in the Danish parliament have now said they will support the plan.

If implemented, the social media ban would be one of the most far-reaching yet by a European Union government.

It comes amid growing concern about the use of social media among teens and younger children.

Led by the Ministry for Digitalisation, the move would set an age limit for access to social media but give parents the right to allow their children to access social media from the age of 13.

"As one of the first countries in the EU, Denmark is now taking a groundbreaking step towards introducing age limits on social media," said the country's Ministry for Digitalisation in a statement. "This is done to protect children and young people in the digital world."

"As a starting point, children under the age of 15 should not have access to platforms that may expose them to harmful content or harmful features," the statement said.

The ministry did not specify which social media platforms are affected or how the ban will be enforced.

Denmark is following the example of Australia, which has implemented the world’s first ban on social media for children, setting the minimum age at 16. That ban goes into effect December 10, 2025, and will affect Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, YouTube, Reddit, and Kick.

“Children should not be left alone in a digital world where harmful content and commercial interests are too much a part of shaping their everyday lives and childhoods," the Danish ministry said.

"Children and young people have their sleep disrupted, lose their peace and concentration, and experience increasing pressure from digital relationships where adults are not always present," it said. "This is a development that no parent, teacher or educator can stop alone."

More than one in 10 internet users have watched drama episodes lasting 10 minutes or less on social media, according to new research from Ampere Analysis. Discover more here.