‘We’ve Unleashed a Monster’: Denmark to Ban Social Media for Under-15s

Denmark is taking a bold stand against the growing influence of social media on children. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen told parliament this week that the government plans to ban social media apps for children under 15, warning that “we have unleashed a monster.”

Frederiksen said that mobile phones and social media are stealing children’s childhoods, echoing concerns from parents and experts worldwide about the mental health effects of excessive screen time.

According to Denmark’s Wellbeing Commission, 94% of children have social media accounts before age 13, despite platform age limits. Many spend an average of three hours a day on TikTok and YouTube.

The proposed law would require parental consent for 13- and 14-year-olds to have accounts, while a separate law banning mobile phones in schools and after-school clubs is already in motion.

Denmark joins a growing list of countries, including Australia, the UK, and France, moving to shield children from harmful online content through age restrictions, digital curfews, and tougher accountability for tech companies.

Frederiksen’s proposal reflects a growing global sentiment: children’s well-being must come before digital engagement.

Under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, every child has the right to access information that promotes their well-being and to engage in play and recreation free from harm. Denmark’s move seeks to restore that balance, protecting children’s right to grow up safe, healthy, and connected to the real world.