Denmark to Ban Social Media for Under-15s as Prime Minister Warns Smartphones Are “Stealing Childhood”

Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announces sweeping child-safety reforms to curb social media access, citing mental health risks and declining attention spans among young users.

Denmark’s Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, has announced a groundbreaking proposal to ban social media use for children under 15 years old, in an effort to safeguard young people’s mental health and wellbeing. Speaking at the opening of the Danish Parliament on Tuesday, Frederiksen warned that smartphones and online platforms are “stealing our children’s childhood.”

The Prime Minister described the modern internet era as one that has “unleashed a monster,” pointing to rising levels of anxiety, depression, and attention disorders among young people. She noted that excessive screen time, online bullying, and exposure to inappropriate content have all contributed to what she called a “generation struggling to focus, read, and connect with the real world.”

Under the proposal, children below the age of 15 would be barred from accessing social media platforms, though parents may be allowed to give consent for children as young as 13 to use such apps. While specific platforms were not mentioned, the ban would likely affect major networks such as Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and Facebook.

If approved by lawmakers, the new regulation could take effect as early as next year, positioning Denmark among the first European nations to take such a strong stance against youth social media use.

Denmark’s move follows similar initiatives abroad. In Australia, the government is developing age restrictions for users under 16, while Norway has proposed raising the minimum age for social media from 13 to 15, citing concerns over “the manipulative power of algorithms” and their effect on children’s development.

Frederiksen emphasized that the measure is not about restricting freedom but restoring balance in childhood, urging society to confront the growing digital dependency that threatens to redefine how children grow, learn, and connect.

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