COPENHAGEN: Denmark has announced plans to introduce a nationwide social media ban for children under the age of 15, in a move the government says is aimed at protecting childhood and improving young people’s mental health.
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen revealed the proposal on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, during her address at the opening of parliament’s autumn session.
While details of how the ban would be implemented are still being finalized, the announcement has already sparked widespread debate both within Denmark and across Europe.
Frederiksen said the government hopes to curb the growing negative influence of digital platforms on children, describing smartphones and social media as tools that are “robbing our children of their childhood.
The Danish leader noted that research shows a rise in social isolation among teenagers, citing data that 60 percent of boys aged 11 to 19 now prefer to stay home rather than meet friends in person, a trend largely attributed to excessive screen time and social media use.
Under the proposal, parents could grant supervised access from age 13, but general use would be prohibited for those under 15.
Although the timeline for the legislation has not been set, the move is part of Denmark’s broader national strategy to combat mental health challenges and online risks facing young people.
The initiative follows a global trend of tighter regulations on children’s digital access. Australia, for instance, passed a similar nationwide ban for under-16s in late 2024, covering platforms such as Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube.
Likewise, Greece proposed an age of digital adulthood” across the European Union earlier this year.
If passed, Denmark would become one of the first European nations to introduce a nationwide under-15 social media restriction, signaling a growing shift in policy toward online child protection.
The government is expected to release further details on enforcement and technical implementation in the coming months, with experts predicting that Denmark’s action could influence other EU countries to adopt similar regulations.