Denmark's Bold Move to Protect Children Online

In a significant policy announcement, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen revealed plans on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, to implement a social media ban for children under the age of 15. Speaking at the opening of the Folketing, the Danish parliament, Frederiksen expressed strong concerns that mobile phones and social networks are "stealing our children's childhood." She linked increased social media use to a rise in anxiety, depression, and concentration issues among young people, stating, "Never before have so many children and young people suffered from anxiety and depression."

The proposed ban, which could take effect as early as next year, would allow parents to grant permission for their children to use social media from the age of 13. While specific platforms were not named, Frederiksen indicated the ban would cover "several" social media platforms. This initiative follows a recommendation from a Danish government wellbeing commission, which advised against children under 13 owning smartphones or tablets.

Global Context and Kenya's Digital Landscape

Denmark's proposal aligns with a growing international trend of governments re-evaluating children's access to social media. Australia has already introduced a ban on social media platforms, including Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube, for under-16s, while Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre has also advocated for a strict minimum age limit of 15.

In Kenya, the discussion around child online safety is equally pertinent. A significant portion of the Kenyan population, over 75%, is under the age of 35, with youth engagement on social media being a critical aspect of social change and economic growth. Data from the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) in Q2 2024 showed Facebook usage at 52% of the Kenyan population, with TikTok experiencing a 5% rise to 28.1% of the population. Overall, 57.5% of Kenya's internet users, regardless of age, used at least one social media platform in January 2024.

Laws, Policy, and Governance in Kenya

Kenya has been actively working to strengthen its framework for child online protection. The Children Act 2022 explicitly addresses the need to protect children from online harm, including cyberbullying, grooming, and exploitation. In April 2025, the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) released comprehensive Industry Guidelines for Child Online Protection and Safety. These guidelines mandate ICT service providers to implement safety tools, age-verification mechanisms, privacy-by-design principles, and robust complaint systems to safeguard children under 18 in the digital environment.

Furthermore, the Kenya Information and Communications (Amendment) Bill, 2025, sponsored by Aldai Member of Parliament Marianne Kitany, seeks to make age verification using national identification cards mandatory for accessing social media platforms. This bill aims to prevent children from accessing harmful content, acknowledging that current age input systems are easily bypassed.

Stakeholders and Testimonies

The impact of social media on Kenyan youth mental health is a growing concern. Studies indicate that excessive social media use is linked to increased anxiety, depression, cyberbullying, and self-esteem issues among teenagers. A GeoPoll report from September 2025 found that over a third of young Kenyans spend more than six hours daily on social media, with WhatsApp, TikTok, and YouTube being the most used platforms. The report also highlighted that over half of the respondents had taken a break from social media due to its negative impact on their well-being.

Experts and policymakers emphasize the need for a multi-stakeholder approach involving industry, parents, educators, and the government to create a safer online environment for children. The CA's guidelines, for instance, require ICT industry actors to adopt internal child online protection policies, build internal capacity in child protection, and designate a focal person for child online protection.

Evidence and Data

Risks and Implications

The unchecked use of social media among Kenyan youth presents several risks, including exposure to cyberbullying, online sexual exploitation, grooming, and radicalisation. The pressure to maintain curated online personas can lead to feelings of inadequacy, disconnection, and withdrawal from offline social engagements, contributing to social anxiety. The digital divide also remains a challenge, with many young people lacking reliable internet access, which limits their participation in online discussions and access to information.

Unknowns and Controversies

While Denmark's Prime Minister Frederiksen announced the proposal, specific details on how the ban would be enforced remain unclear. Similarly, in Kenya, while the CA's guidelines require age verification, the exact mechanisms for implementation (e.g., biometrics, ID cards, AI tools, or self-declaration) are yet to be fully clarified. The Kenya Information and Communications (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which proposes mandatory ID-based age verification, has not yet been passed into law.

Timeline and Next Steps

In Denmark, the proposed social media ban could come into effect as early as next year. For Kenya, the CA's Industry Guidelines for Child Online Protection and Safety, published in April 2025, are expected to be fully implemented within six months of their publication. This means ICT service providers are working towards an October 2025 deadline to comply with the new regulations. The Kenya Information and Communications (Amendment) Bill, 2025, is currently awaiting parliamentary approval.

What to Watch

Observers in Kenya will be keenly watching the progress of the Kenya Information and Communications (Amendment) Bill, 2025, in Parliament and the practical implementation of the CA's age verification guidelines. The effectiveness of these measures in balancing child protection with the right to information and freedom of expression will be crucial. The global discourse, exemplified by Denmark's bold move, is likely to influence further policy developments in Kenya and across the continent.

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