Denmark is the latest country to target big tech companies, announcing plans on Friday to ban social media access for users under the age of 15.
As reported by the Associated PressThe measure will not take effect immediately, but details of how the ban will be enforced remain unclear. Denmark is reportedly planning to roll out an official age verification app as part of the implementation system, and will allow parents to grant access to children as young as 13 after an assessment process.
The move puts Denmark in line with a growing list of countries implementing similar measures as concerns continue to grow about the impact of social media on young people’s mental health. Australia has become the first country to implement a social media ban for minors, which is set to come into effect next December. This ban will expose platforms like TikTok, Snapchat and Reddit to fines of up to AU$50 million (US$33 million) if they fail to comply.
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In the United States, there are no nationwide restrictions, but several states have enacted or proposed legislation limiting social media use among minors. These laws vary widely — for example, Nebraska requires parental consent for anyone under 18 to open an account — and many are now being challenged in court over First Amendment concerns.
If Denmark’s plan goes smoothly, it could redefine the balance of power between governments and big tech companies like Meta, opening a new front in the global battle over who bears responsibility for verifying users’ ages — the platforms, parents, or app stores.