Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen says the government has “unleashed a monster”, as Denmark moves to outlaw social media use for children under 15s.
In 2024, more than 50,000 people in Denmark signed a petition calling for a ban on TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram.
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Denmark plans to ban social media apps for under-15s as PM says phones have ‘stolen childhood’.
Denmark’s prime minister has said the government will move to ban social media apps for under-15s, warning that “mobile phones and social media are stealing our children’s childhood”.
“We have unleashed a monster,” Mette Frederiksen told the Danish parliament on Tuesday.
She unveiled plans for sweeping new restrictions on young people’s use of platforms like TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat.
The proposal follows research published by Denmark’s wellbeing commission earlier this year, which found that 94 per cent of Danish children had social media accounts before the age of 13, the minimum age for most platforms.
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Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen attends a press conference after attending the the European Political Community (EPC).
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It also showed that nine to 14-year-olds were spending an average of three hours a day on TikTok and YouTube.
Ms Frederiksen did not set out how such a ban would be enforced, but she said parents should be able to give permission for children aged 13 and over to access the platforms.
In 2024, more than 50,000 people in Denmark signed a petition calling for a ban on TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram, reflecting growing public support for tighter regulation of children’s screen use.
Earlier this year, the Danish government also announced plans to ban mobile phones in schools and after-school clubs, meaning almost all children aged between seven and 16-17 will soon be required by law to leave their phones at home.
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Denmark’s move mirrors a growing international push to curb social media access for young users.
Meanwhile, in the UK, new online safety laws mean internet companies face fines of up to 10 per cent of global revenue if they expose children to harmful content.
Ministers have not ruled out a full ban for under-16s.
In Australia, under-16s will be banned from using social media from December, while in France a parliamentary commission has recommended an under-15 ban and an overnight “digital curfew” for older teens.