By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Denmark announced a plan to implement a social media ban for children under 15, though the specific platforms and implementation details remain unclear. The bill would allow parental consent for social media use starting at age 13. This initiative follows Australia’s ban on social media for under-16s, and the EU’s proposal for an “age of digital adulthood.”
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Denmark to ban social media for under-15s is a topic that immediately sparks a flurry of questions and, honestly, a bit of concern. The core idea, which is to protect younger children, is understandable. However, the proposed method, as it stands, raises some significant red flags. What’s concerning is the lack of specific details from Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen about which platforms will be affected and how this will even work in practice. The devil, as they say, is in the details.
A major point of contention revolves around the potential need for age verification, possibly through ID checks. This raises immediate worries about privacy. If the government starts mandating these checks, we’re looking at a system ripe for surveillance and, potentially, serious breaches of personal data. Beyond that, where do you draw the line? Are we talking about a blanket ban that includes everything remotely resembling social interaction online? What about chat apps, online games with chat features, forums, comment sections, streaming platforms, or even video-sharing sites like YouTube? Many people grew up using these sorts of platforms before they hit 15, and while the internet then was different, the lines are still blurry.
The heart of the issue, for many, lies in the nature of modern social media itself. The algorithms, the endless scrolling, the constant bombardment of ads, and the engagement-driven content are the true problems. But banning access might not be a practical solution. It may create a black market of apps and platforms used by children.
There are those who believe that this proposed legislation is a misguided solution to what is, at its core, a parenting problem. The simple solution is parental guidance and supervision. Instead of using technology to solve a parenting issue, the government can make it easier for the parents to block their children from the social media.
The enforcement mechanism is a major worry. How do you verify age without compromising privacy? One scenario could involve creating an online database of every user in the country. This presents the risk of censorship, data breaches, and potential misuse by the government. In a worst-case scenario, it is a perfect tool for the state to exercise totalitarianism.
The “think of the children” argument is a familiar one, and many are wary of it. History shows that measures intended to protect children have often paved the way for broader restrictions on freedom and privacy. These laws could unintentionally force smaller websites out of business, and they could push people’s data to the public domain.
The practical problems of the ban should be clear. It would force everyone to verify their age, even though few platforms exist that even have a good way of doing so. Some platforms would be forced to block or punish its users who have not met the government requirement.
It is possible that this could backfire. Banning social media could make it a forbidden fruit for young people, increasing its appeal. In short, it could make teenagers and young people want to use social media even more.
The idea of restricting social media access has become a good way of limiting the use of social media for people of all ages. The government could also ban family vloggers, whose content could exploit children for profit.
The underlying concern is the use of social media as a tool for external manipulation. Social media is a vehicle for disinformation campaigns designed to sway people and interfere with the free speech of other countries.
Ultimately, the practicality of enforcing such a ban is highly questionable. Young people can use other means to get around these restrictions. They would simply use VPNs and lie about their age to use social media. Also, if Denmark’s ban is enforced, it could create a generation that hates their own countries.
The real issue lies not in social media itself, but in the way it is used and the potential for harm it presents to young people. The focus should be on how this is going to work in practice. Will it be as simple as a button to confirm your age, or will it involve government IDs? What about the surveillance of individuals?