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Denmark Declares War on Social Media for Kids: “We’ve Let a Monster Loose”
Denmark plans to ban social media for users under 15
It’s official, Denmark is taking a bold stand against the digital age’s most controversial obsession: social media for kids. In a fiery address at the opening of the Danish parliament, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announced plans to ban social media for children under 15, arguing that online platforms are “stealing our children’s childhood.” For Frederiksen, this isn’t just about screen time, it’s about saving a generation.
“We have said yes to mobile phones in our children’s lives in the best sense,” Frederiksen began, acknowledging the benefits of connectivity and communication. “So they can call home and talk to their friends. But the reality is that we have let a monster loose.”
Her tone was unmistakably urgent. Frederiksen painted a disturbing picture of a youth population crippled by anxiety, depression, and loneliness, all symptoms she links to excessive online exposure. “Never before have so many children and young people suffered from anxiety and depression,” she warned, adding that many can no longer focus or even read without distraction. “Some see things they shouldn’t see,” she added grimly. And perhaps most shocking of all: 60% of Danish boys aged 11 to 19 reportedly go a full week without seeing a single friend in person.
“Do you think that number would be so high if it weren’t for the smartphone?” she asked parliament.
A Law to “Take Better Care of Our Children”
The proposed law would ban social media access for anyone under 15, but with a small caveat. Parents could give permission for children as young as 13 to use certain platforms. Frederiksen insists this move isn’t about control, it’s about care. “Mobile phones and social media are stealing our children’s childhood,” she said. “This law will mean we take better care of our children here in Denmark.”
This proposal follows a series of decisive steps by the Danish government to combat digital dependency. Just last month, Denmark banned cell phones in primary schools and after-school programs, following the recommendations of a “wellbeing commission” established in 2023.
Denmark isn’t acting in isolation. Around the world, governments are waking up to what many are calling a “social media epidemic.”
In Australia, lawmakers made history last year by passing the world’s first social media ban for children under 16. The law forces tech companies to take “reasonable steps” to keep underage users off their platforms, or risk fines of nearly 50 million Australian dollars ($33 million). Predictably, tech giants weren’t thrilled. TikTok ran ads promoting its supposed educational benefits, while other platforms argued they already had protective measures in place. But the Australian government stood firm, citing mounting evidence that social media harms mental health and fosters addiction.
Meanwhile, Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre is also pushing for a ban for users under 15, and his government has launched a public consultation to shape a potential new law. It’s becoming clear that the digital rebellion isn’t confined to one corner of the world, it’s spreading across Europe and beyond.
Still, Denmark’s bold stance raises complex questions. Is social media itself the villain, or are we just failing to teach children how to use it responsibly?
Critics argue that banning access won’t solve the root problem, it might even make it worse. Some experts say that isolation, academic pressure, and economic uncertainty contribute just as much to youth anxiety as social media does. Others counter that the evidence is too strong to ignore, especially when studies consistently show links between screen time and depression, poor sleep, and lower self-esteem.
And then there’s the question of enforcement. How do you stop a tech-savvy 14-year-old from creating a fake profile? What about messaging apps like WhatsApp or Snapchat that double as communication tools? The conversation isn’t simple, but Frederiksen’s stance has certainly reignited it.
Denmark’s Bold Cultural Message
Beyond policy, Frederiksen’s speech carries a cultural message: that society has allowed technology to dominate childhood. For many Danish parents, the sentiment hits home. There’s nostalgia in her words, a longing for a time when children played outside, met friends face-to-face, and weren’t glued to screens. Her proposal challenges not just Silicon Valley’s algorithms, but an entire generation’s habits and expectations.
If passed, Denmark’s ban could become a landmark moment in global efforts to redefine how young people interact with technology. It’s a daring, perhaps controversial, move, but one that could inspire others to follow suit.
Frederiksen’s declaration, “We have let a monster loose”, will likely echo beyond Denmark’s borders. Whether you agree with her or not, her message taps into a growing global unease about how deeply digital platforms have infiltrated family life. From Australia’s fines to Norway’s consultations, and now Denmark’s parliamentary proposal, governments are finally confronting Big Tech’s unchecked influence on children’s mental health.
But as this digital reckoning unfolds, one thing is clear: Denmark’s Prime Minister isn’t afraid to call it what she believes it is — a stolen childhood. And for millions of parents around the world, that may be the wake-up call they’ve been waiting for.
