Denmark’s Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, has unveiled plans to ban social media use for children under the age of 15, warning that smartphones and online platforms are “stealing our children’s childhood.”
Speaking at the opening of the Danish Parliament on Tuesday, Frederiksen described the digital era as one that has “unleashed a monster,” pointing to rising cases of anxiety, depression, and attention disorders among young people. She noted that many children are being exposed to harmful online content and are finding it harder to read or concentrate because of excessive screen time.
Although specific platforms were not mentioned, the proposal is expected to cover several major social networks. Parents could, however, be permitted to grant consent for children as young as 13 to use social media under certain conditions.
If approved, the policy could be implemented as early as next year.
Denmark’s initiative mirrors similar efforts in other countries including Australia, which plans to block social media access for under-16s, and Norway, where authorities are pushing to raise the minimum age for users from 13 to 15 in a bid to protect children from “the power of algorithms.”
📸:Pinterest images
