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Denmark has announced plans to introduce a nationwide social media ban for children under the age of 15 in an effort to protect young people from the harmful effects of excessive screen time and online exposure.
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen revealed the proposal during her speech to parliament on Tuesday at the opening of its autumn session, describing the move as a step to “give children their childhood back.”
“The mobile phone and social media are robbing our children of their childhood,” Frederiksen said, citing figures that show around 60 per cent of Danish boys aged 11 to 19 prefer staying at home to spending time with friends.
While Frederiksen did not specify which social media platforms would be affected or how the restriction would be enforced, she said the upcoming legislation would allow parents to grant access to children as young as 13.
The government has not yet provided a timeline for when the bill will be presented.
The Danish plan follows a growing global trend of governments seeking to curb social media use among minors. Australia passed a similar law in late 2024 banning under-16s from using platforms such as Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube, though details on enforcement remain unclear.
In June, Greece proposed setting a minimum “age of digital adulthood” across the European Union, requiring parental consent for children to access social media.
The Danish government’s proposal has sparked debate, with supporters praising its focus on children’s mental health, while critics have raised questions about practicality, privacy, and enforcement in a digital world dominated by global platforms.
