Copenhagen — The Danish government has taken a historic step aimed at safeguarding the mental and social health of its young population by imposing a ban on the use of social media platforms for children under the age of 15. With this decision, Denmark has become the first European nation to take such a stringent measure to protect children from digital hazards.
According to international media reports, the government stated that the decision was made to protect the well-being of its children. The Prime Minister of Denmark had previously emphasized the need for such a restriction last month, citing growing concerns over the negative impacts and increasing mental stress associated with social media use among adolescents.
Details of the New Law:
The new legislation establishes a revised age threshold. Children under 13 years old will now only be able to access “specified” social media platforms with the explicit permission of their parents.
Global Significance:
Experts are calling this decision a major development globally concerning digital welfare and ensuring online safety for children. Denmark’s move follows a similar precedent set by Australia, which last year banned social media use for children under 16.
The ban is intended to shield minors from adverse effects such as cyberbullying, exposure to inappropriate content, and the detrimental effects of digital addiction.
