Denmark becomes latest European country to push social media ban for under-15s

Denmark’s prime minister is pushing for a ban on social media for children under age 15, saying mobile phones and social media are “stealing our children's childhood”.

Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announced the plan during a speech before the Danish parliament, the Folketing, on Tuesday. She called on lawmakers to ban “more” social media for children under 15, with parents able to give their kids permission to use it from the age of 13.

In the European Union, children must be at least 13 to make social media accounts. But Frederiksen cited data showing that 94 per cent of Danish children had social media before that age.

“They see things on the screen that they shouldn't,” Frederiksen said. She pointed to anxiety, depression, a lack of concentration, and reading problems linked to social media, saying, “we have unleashed a monster”.

Frederiksen did not specify which social media platforms would be affected by the proposed restrictions.

Denmark has also moved to ban mobile phones in schools and after-school clubs, and has pushed for stricter EU-wide rules to protect children online.

Other European countries have also taken steps to restrict social media and mobile phones for young people.

In June, the Dutch government advised parents not to allow children under age 15 to use social media such as TikTok and Instagram. Last year, French President Emmanuel Macron said he supported a social media ban for under-15s.