Following Australia’s Lead, Denmark Plans to Ban Social Media for Children Under 15

Summary:

Denmark is proposing legislation to block children under 15 from accessing social media platforms without parental consent. The move follows Australia’s recent restrictions and aims to curb rising youth mental health issues, data exploitation risks, and cyberbullying linked to platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Critics argue it raises privacy concerns due to mandatory age verification tools. Proponents claim it shifts accountability to tech companies. The debate highlights tensions between child protection and digital autonomy.

What This Means for You:

• Impact: Children’s data privacy and mental health vulnerabilities from unrestricted social media access.
• Fix: Implement parental controls on devices before the ban takes effect.
• Security: Use pseudonyms and disable location tracking if platforms are accessed.
• Warning: Unsupervised workaround attempts may expose teens to scam sites.

Solutions:

Solution 1: Parental Control Activation

Enable device-specific restrictions to enforce screen time limits and block social apps. Apple’s Screen Time and Google Family Link let parents approve installation requests, while Windows settings filter age-inappropriate sites.

iOS: Settings → Screen Time → Content & Privacy Restrictions

Android: Family Link → Manage Settings → Filters on Google Play

Solution 2: Digital Literacy Education

Schools and NGOs can teach critical thinking about online risks. Denmark’s Media Council offers free WebWise modules covering influencer manipulation and data harvesting tactics. Role-playing exercises help children recognize phishing or grooming behaviors before they engage independently.

Solution 3: Child-Friendly Alternatives

Replace mainstream platforms with moderated services like PopJam (art-sharing) or LEGO Life. These require verified parent emails and prohibit direct messaging. Alternatively, create offline clubs – Denmark’s “Phone-Free Saturdays” initiative reduces FOMO through sports or museum activities.

Solution 4: Policy Advocacy

Support organizations like Be Screen Smart lobbying for stronger age-gating laws. Denmark’s draft mandates liability for platforms failing to verify age via NemID (national digital ID). Report compliance gaps using official portals once enacted.

EU Tip: Use the European Child Safety Hotline

People Also Ask:

• Q: How will Denmark enforce this ban? A: Via mandatory digital ID checks during account creation.
• Q: Will companies face penalties? A: Yes – fines of up to 20M DKK (€2.7M) for violations.
• Q: Is the EU adopting similar rules? A: Ireland and Belgium are exploring bans; Spain restricts late-night use.
• Q: Can VPNs bypass these measures? A: Riskier options could expose users to malware.

Protect Yourself:

• Discuss digital self-defense using real-world analogies (e.g., “stranger danger”)
• Set up DNS filters like OpenDNS Home to block NSFW/social sites network-wide
• Encourage hobby apps (Duolingo, MasterClass) over passive scrolling
• Use router features to schedule WiFi blackouts during homework/sleep hours

Expert Take:

“Blanket bans can backfire without layered education – teens will always seek access. Denmark’s strength lies in tying restrictions to digital ID infrastructure, but grassroots mentoring must address the emotional voids driving obsessive use.” – Dr. Lena Fält, Cyberpsychology Researcher

Tags:

• Denmark social media ban for children under 15
• Impact of Australia’s social media restrictions
• Parental control tools for Android iOS
• Child online safety legislation Europe
• Mental health risks of early social media use
• Alternative apps for kids social media

*Featured image via source

Edited by 4idiotz Editorial System