Denmark is the latest country to take on Big Tech, announcing on Friday its intention to ban access to social networks for users under 15 years old.
As the Associated Press reported, the measure will not take effect immediately, but details of how the ban will be enforced remain unclear. Denmark reportedly plans to roll out an official age verification app as part of the monitoring system and would allow parents to grant access to children as young as 13 after an assessment process.
The move places Denmark on a growing list of countries introducing similar measures as concerns about the impact of social media on young people’s mental health continue to grow. Australia has become the first country to ban social media for minors, set to take effect in December. The ban would see platforms like TikTok, Snapchat and Reddit face fines of up to AU$50 million (US$33 million) if they fail to comply.
Crushable speed of light
In the United States, there are no nationwide restrictions, but several states have passed or proposed legislation restricting the use of social media by minors. These laws vary widely – Nebraska, for example, requires parental permission for anyone under 18 to open an account – and many are currently being challenged in court over First Amendment concerns.
If the Danish project 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 is responsible for verifying users’ ages: the platforms, parents or app stores.
