Denmark is banning the use of social media for children under the age of 15, the government in Copenhagen announced on Friday.
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However, parents will be allowed to grant dispensation to young people over the age of 13 to access certain platforms, writes Agerpres.
The move follows Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen’s call in her opening speech to parliament last month for restrictions on children’s use of social media amid concerns about young people’s mental health.
“So-called social media thrives on stealing our children’s time, childhood and well-being, and we’re putting an end to it now”, said Minister of Digitization, Caroline Stage Olsen.
Most parties in parliament have said they will support the plan ahead of a formal vote.
The government announced that among the platforms most used by children in Denmark are Snapchat, YouTube, Instagram and TikTok.
According to an analysis by the Danish Competition and Consumer Protection Authority in February this year, young people in this Nordic country spend an average of 2 hours and 40 minutes every day on social networks.
Denmark is following the example of Australia, which last year imposed a ban on the use of social networks for children under 16.
