Denmark plans to ban social media for under‑15s

Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announced plans to prohibit access to several social media platforms for children under 15, with parental consent enabling access from age 13. The proposal, delivered in Parliament, targets youth exposure to harmful content and diminished offline social interaction. Specific platforms subject to the ban were not identified, indicating the government is still scoping the measure.

The initiative aligns with recent signals from the European Commission, including President Ursula von der Leyen’s call for EU-wide age restrictions on social media in her State of the Union address. Under the Digital Services Act (DSA) and the Commission’s July guidance on minors’ protection, Member States may set national age limits for access to online services, provided they comply with EU law, including fundamental rights and internal market principles.

Frederiksen described mobile phones and social media as undermining childhood, citing concerns about content exposure and isolation among youth. She referenced claims that 60% of boys aged 11 to 19 do not meet a friend in person during a week of free time. While compelling, such figures will require robust evidentiary support in the legislative process to withstand scrutiny and avoid disproportionate restrictions.

Digital Minister Caroline Stage Olsen previously indicated Denmark was considering a ban, arguing that current platforms prioritize data harvesting and advertising over genuine interaction. Any Danish measure will need careful calibration to the DSA’s risk mitigation framework, age-assurance standards, and proportionality requirements, including clear platform designation, enforcement mechanisms, and compatibility with GDPR, the ePrivacy regime, and fundamental rights.