Denmark is preparing to impose a statewide ban on social media use for children under 15, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen revealed this week. In a speech to the Danish parliament, Frederiksen warned that mobile phones and internet platforms were damaging young people’s well-being, saying, “We have unleashed a monster.”
The idea is similar to those taken in Australia, which adopted a law prohibiting social media use for under-16s last year, and reflects growing global concern about the mental health impact of digital technology on children.
Concerns Over Mental Health and Concentration
Frederiksen agreed that phones can help children stay in touch with friends and relatives, but stressed that the hazards outweigh the benefits. She brought out alarming rates of anxiety, sadness, and lack of focus among young people.
“Never before have so many children and young people experienced anxiety and despair. Many people have difficulties reading and concentrating. “They see things on the screen that they shouldn’t,” she explained.
The restriction would apply to minors under 15, but parents may still offer authorization for use starting at age 13.
Alarming Levels of Social Media Use Among Children
A February report from Denmark’s Wellbeing Commission underlined the depth of the problem. It revealed that 94% of Danish children had formed a social media profile before the age of 13, despite most platforms stating 13 as the minimum age requirement.
The survey also found that children aged 9 to 14 spent an average of three hours each day on platforms like YouTube and TikTok, which is significantly more than health experts advise.
Denmark has previously taken steps to reduce screen time in schools. A rule prohibiting mobile phones in all primary and lower secondary schools (for students under the age of 16) has previously been passed as part of a larger effort to restore classroom concentration.
A Growing Trend in Europe and Beyond
Denmark is not alone in considering such policies. France, Greece, and Spain are all implementing stronger limitations on children’s use to social media. In the United Kingdom, officials have opted against a blanket ban, instead forcing tech companies to more strictly enforce existing age limitations and protect minors from hazardous content.
Meanwhile, Australia has taken the most stringent approach in the Western world thus far, adopting a statewide law prohibiting children under the age of 16 from using social media, which will go into effect in the coming months.
Balancing Protection and Freedom
Supporters of Denmark’s plan claim that the measure is important to protect children from social media’s addictive nature and negative impacts on mental health. Critics, however, warn that enforcement may be difficult, raising concerns about children’s digital rights.
As arguments continue, Denmark is poised to become the latest country to establish a clear line between children and social media, indicating that governments throughout the world are beginning to see online exposure as a public health concern.
