"Denmark plans social media ban for children under 15, says PM warns of stolen childhood"

Denmark to Prohibit Social Media Use for Under-15s Amid Childhood Concerns

The Danish prime minister has announced plans to ban social media access for children under 15, stating that mobile phones and online platforms are "stealing our children’s childhood."

During a speech at the opening of Folketing, Denmark’s parliament, Mette Frederiksen described the issue as a growing crisis. “We have unleashed a monster,” she said. “Never before have so many children and young people struggled with anxiety and depression.”

Frederiksen noted that many children now struggle with reading and concentration, adding that online content exposes them to "things no child or young person should see."

While she did not specify which platforms would be affected, the restrictions would apply to multiple social media sites. Parents, however, would have the option to grant permission for their children to use these services starting at age 13.

The ban, if approved, could take effect by next year.

Similar measures are being considered in other countries. Australia plans to block access to platforms such as Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube for users under 16. Norway’s prime minister, Jonas Gahr Støre, has also proposed raising the age limit for social media use from 13 to 15. Last year, Støre acknowledged the challenge but argued that political intervention is necessary to shield children from "the power of the algorithms."

Denmark’s digitalisation minister, Caroline Stage, called the proposed ban a "breakthrough," stating: “I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: we’ve been too naive. We’ve left children’s digital lives to platforms that never prioritized their wellbeing. We must shift from digital captivity to community.”

Frederiksen cited concerning statistics, revealing that 60% of boys aged 11 to 19 spend no time with friends during their free hours, while 94% of Danish seventh-grade students had social media profiles before turning 13.

“Mobile phones and social media are stealing our children’s childhood,” she emphasized.

The proposal follows Denmark’s decision in February to ban mobile phones in all schools and after-school programs. This measure was based on recommendations from a government commission examining declining wellbeing among youth, which advised against smartphones and tablets for children under 13.

Growing research on social media’s impact is prompting global policy changes. Earlier this year, Greece urged the EU to establish an “age of digital adulthood,” requiring parental consent for minors’ social media use.