Denmark is preparing to introduce one of Europe’s toughest restrictions on youth social media use: The government will propose a law banning several social networks for users under the age of 15. Speaking at the opening of the new parliamentary session, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said that the measure is meant to protect children and teenagers from the negative effects of excessive screen time and online exposure, adding that too many young Danes spend their free time online rather than socialising in person. According to government data cited by the prime minister, about 60% of Danish youths aged 11 to 19 now prefer staying at home to going out with friends, a trend that highlights a growing social isolation linked to digital habits. The upcoming bill will include a parental exemption: parents will be allowed to grant access to specific platforms for children aged 13 and older. However, the government has not yet detailed how it plans to monitor or enforce the age restrictions. Frederiksen’s proposal has sparked immediate debate in Denmark, where digital literacy and online freedom are widely valued but concerns about mental health and online safety have grown. If approved, the law would make Denmark one of the first countries in Europe to impose a nationwide age-based social media ban.
