By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Denmark is set to introduce a minimum age of 15 for certain social media platforms, following Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen’s concerns regarding youth mental health. This decision, supported by a majority of the parliament, aims to protect children and young people from harmful content online. The government will also invest 160 million Danish kroner in initiatives to strengthen online child protection and improve the digital landscape. While the specific platforms and enforcement methods are yet to be announced, parental consent may allow access for children as young as 13.
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Denmark to ban social media for children under 15 – let’s unpack this, shall we? This isn’t a blanket ban, mind you. Thirteen-year-olds can still get their social media fix, provided their parents give the thumbs up. Apparently, some of the left-leaning political parties in Denmark are a bit underwhelmed, finding the move not quite ambitious enough. It’s like taking baby steps, but maybe that’s the smartest way to go. Perhaps this kind of approach would be beneficial elsewhere.
Now, the knee-jerk reaction might be, “Ban it for everyone!” But that’s where things get complicated. Limiting internet access for the under-18 crowd, that’s something that resonates. The fear is a government-controlled internet turning into a bigger surveillance nightmare. The crux of the matter is the role of parents versus the government. Is it the government’s job to police what kids see online, or is it the parents’ responsibility to guide their children? A lot of people believe the latter. After all, you wouldn’t let your kid wander off with strangers in the real world, so why would you let them do it online?
Think back to the early 2000s, the Wild West of the internet. Some of the stuff online was truly shocking. It wasn’t the government’s fault for what was seen, it was the parents’ role in letting them go online and see whatever they wanted to. The problem with relying on the government is the risk of poorly implemented laws, like the UK’s Online Safety Act, which have caused privacy concerns.
But the real enemy here? The algorithm. The endless scroll of algorithmically recommended content is a problem. It’s a challenge to deal with a feed full of content you didn’t ask for. It needs to be outlawed for everyone, not just kids. But how do you enforce such a thing? Requiring ID is fraught with privacy risks. This will be tricky, and the potential for it to backfire is high.
There’s a good chance it won’t work very well. The US, for instance, might struggle with a similar ban. The Danes are always ahead of the curve, concerning the well-being of their society, which is a commendable trait. The issue is how this will be implemented. How will they verify age? And would that mean requiring an ID? It’s tough to imagine how to make this work without some big privacy trade-offs.
There’s a level of education needed as well. It’s important to educate children and parents about navigating the digital world safely. In a way, it’s a bit frustrating that we’re asking the government to step in. Parents should be the ones leading the charge, but modern life has made that a challenge. The issue is that the algorithms are controlling people, and they understand the damage these apps can do to developing brains.
It’s about addressing the corporations that are profiting from these platforms, and not just the people using them. The concern is, how will this affect things like connection with family? Some might wonder if it’s more about the loss of privacy. The idea of the government being involved is not welcomed by all. Many feel like this will be used as a way to enforce more draconian surveillance.
The biggest issue is the content. Filling the world with freely available damaging content, taking no responsibility for its moderation, and then making parents protect their children, is a bit much. Shouldn’t the government be regulating corporations and the potential harms they create, instead of just dumping it all on individuals? It’s worth noting that social media companies already collect and sell user data. Age and identity verification may be necessary to combat the spread of bots and fake information.
Denmark is proposing to use the MitID system for age verification. It’s a digital ID system. Social media platforms can either use it or create their own verification systems, and the EU would step in if they don’t comply. This could become a model to follow, but it’s a complicated issue with no easy answers. It’s a balance between protecting children, respecting privacy, and not hindering free speech. It all comes down to the big picture and how we as a society see the role of technology and the internet in the lives of our kids.