New Political Agreement: Denmark to Strengthen Digital Protection for Children and Young People

The Danish government, the Social Liberal Party (Radikale Venstre), and the Conservative People’s Party (Det Konservative Folkeparti) have reached a new political agreement aimed at strengthening the digital protection of children and young people. With 14 concrete initiatives, the agreement seeks to raise the age for children’s debut on social media, improve the safety of digital products, and create safer online environments.

“For too long, we have let tech giants set the boundaries for children’s digital lives. Now we are taking back responsibility and setting clear limits on how children should be protected online,” says Minister for Digitalisation Caroline Stage.

The agreement includes raising the minimum age for access to certain social media platforms to 15 and introducing official guidelines for parents regarding children’s digital lives. Additionally, efforts will be made to promote physical social communities and support the development of alternative, child-friendly social media platforms.

The agreement also includes:

• targeted campaigns for parents and students,
• requirements for child-safe settings in digital products,
• measures to combat harmful digital content and influencer marketing aimed at children,
• an annual analysis of children’s digital habits,
• initiatives focused on digitally vulnerable children,
• the creation of a legal mandate system for harmful content,
• an independent dispute resolution body for users in conflict with platforms,
• strengthened oversight of tech giants,
• and increased Danish efforts to influence EU legislation.

“Children have a right to safe environments – also online. With this agreement, we ensure that children’s well-being and rights take precedence over technological and commercial interests,” says Caroline Stage.

The initiatives are based on recommendations from the Alliance for a Safe and Good Digital Childhood and Youth and cover preventive, protective, and regulatory measures. According to the agreement parties, Denmark must lead the way in the EU and push for common solutions that extend beyond national borders.

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