Denmark Proposes Ban on Under-15s Using Social Media: Safeguarding Youth in the Digital Age

Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announced plans to ban children under 15 from using social media platforms, calling smartphones and social media a "monster" that's stealing childhood from an entire generation. The proposal comes as Denmark grapples with alarming statistics showing widespread social isolation among young people.

Speaking to the Danish parliament, Frederiksen painted a stark picture of digital childhood. Nearly all seventh-grade students—typically 13 or 14 years old—own smartphones. But here's the troubling part: 60% of boys aged 11 to 19 haven't met a single friend during their free time. And 94% of Danish seventh-graders already have social media accounts before turning 13.

"Mobile phones and social media platforms are stealing our children's childhood," Frederiksen told parliament. "We have unleashed a monster."

Denmark's digitization minister, Caroline Steig, called the announcement an "achievement" and admitted the country had been "too naive" about digital platforms. "We left children's digital lives to platforms that never put their safety first," she said. "We need to move from digital captivity to community activity."

But there's a catch. Frederiksen didn't explain how this ban would actually work or what penalties it might involve. No draft legislation appeared in the government's upcoming parliamentary agenda either.

This puts Denmark at the forefront of a global debate about children and social media. Australia recently passed similar legislation banning social media for under-16s, while other countries are watching closely. The challenge lies in enforcement—most platforms already require users to be 13, but age verification remains weak.

For tech companies, Denmark's move signals growing regulatory pressure across Europe. If implemented effectively, it could become a model for other EU countries grappling with similar concerns about children's digital wellbeing and social development.

The proposal reflects broader concerns about declining face-to-face social interaction among young people, a trend accelerated by the pandemic but rooted in smartphone adoption over the past decade.