Explained: Denmark follows Australian example to implement social media age limit for kids under 15
Denmark will raise its social media age limit to 15, creating Europe’s strictest ban, as the country follows Australia’s lead in protecting children online. Here’s what you need to know.
Denmark is set to ban social media for children younger than 15, declaring its hope to lead the way in Europe for other nations to adopt similar laws.
Denmark’s Digitalisation Minister Caroline Stage Olsen told AP her government was “finally drawing a line in the sand.”
“Denmark is now leading the way in Europe with a national age limit for social media and a concerted effort to strengthen the digital wellbeing of children and young people,” she said.
“We are taking a necessary stand against a development where large tech platforms have had free rein in children’s rooms for far too long.”
The Danish government said it is confident the legislation will pass, as it has support from politicians across the board.
Parents will have the option to allow their children access to the platforms from age 13 – but only with parental consent and under tighter rules.
The announcement comes after Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen described how society “unleashed a monster” by allowing vulnerable youths to use the platforms.
“Never before have so many children and young people suffered from anxiety and depression,” she said.
Denmark’s proposed age limit would make it one of the strictest in Europe, slightly lower than Australia’s minimum age of 16, which comes into effect from December 10.
Here is what you need to know about the move.
WHY IS DENMARK BANNING SOCIAL MEDIA FOR KIDS?
The Danish Ministry for Digital Affairs highlighted the negative effects on children: “Children and young people have their sleep disrupted, lose their concentration and experience increasing pressure from digital relationships where adults are not always present.”
The government hopes the legislation will protect children’s mental health and curb online harms, following concerns about social media’s link to anxiety, depression, and online bullying.
WHAT ROLE DOES QUEEN MARY PLAY IN SOCIAL MEDIA PUSH?
Denmark’s Australian-born Queen Mary is passionate about protecting young children from bullying, one of the main aims of her charity The Mary Foundation.
Her advocacy aligns with the government’s push to improve children’s online wellbeing.
HOW DID AUSTRALIA’S SOCIAL MEDIA BAN INFLUENCE DENMARK?
In September, Australian mother Emma Mason spoke before the United Nations General Assembly in New York City about how her 15-year-old daughter Matilda “Tilly” Rosewarne died after relentless online bullying.
“Social media played a direct role in her death – Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, they all played their dirty part,” Ms Mason said of her daughter.
“Of course, Tilly’s pain was over but for everyone who loved her, our daily pain never ends.”
“The only way to stop this harm is to hit these corporations in their hip pocket because they’ve known about it and they’ve done nothing, much like the tobacco companies of old. I implore leaders and nations of our great world to act but act now, making it illegal for children to access social media under 16 will improve lives. It will save lives.”
Australia’s new law, effective December 10, increases the minimum social media age from 13 to 16, with some exemptions for platforms like Discord and Google Classroom used in education.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE REACTION IN EUROPE?
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was in the audience and praised Ms Mason’s bravery, applauding Australia’s “bold” leadership on the issue.
“As Emma said, it is for parents to raise their children and not for algorithms,” she said. “Our next generation needs us to step up, to be daring, and to give this a go.”
Denmark’s law also reflects a growing international co-operation, with a trilateral “age assurance” group involving Australia’s eSafety Commissioner, the European Commission, and the UK regulator Ofcom working to help countries verify users’ ages online.
IS A GLOBAL SOCIAL MEDIA AGE LIMIT COMING?
The new legislation in both countries was influenced by advocacy from News Corp Australia’s Let Them Be Kids Campaign, which highlighted the devastating harms caused to children through social media.
With Denmark now joining Australia in setting higher age thresholds, other European nations may soon face pressure to follow suit.
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Originally published as Explained: Denmark follows Australian example to implement social media age limit for kids under 15
