"We Have Unleashed a Monster"... The Country Banning Social Media for Teens by Law

Danish Prime Minister Frederiksen: "Mobile Phones Are Stealing Children's Childhoods"

"We have unleashed a monster. Many children and adolescents are suffering from anxiety and depression more than ever before."

This was stated by Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. She announced plans to push for legislation banning social media use for those under the age of 15, saying, "Mobile phones and social media are robbing children of their childhood."

According to Yonhap News on October 8, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said in her parliamentary opening address that "mobile phones and social media are stealing our children's childhood."

(This photo is not directly related to the article.) Pixabay

Announcing her plan to introduce the ban, she said, "Many children are struggling with reading and concentration. There are things on the screens that young people should never see."

However, Prime Minister Frederiksen did not specify which social media platforms would be included in the ban. She only stated that "multiple platforms will be involved." She also suggested allowing those aged 13 and older to use social media with parental consent.

Northern European country Denmark has announced plans to push legislation banning social media use for children under the age of 15. Yonhap News

In her speech, Prime Minister Frederiksen cited a statistic that "60% of Danish boys aged 11 to 19 do not meet a single friend during their free time," and expressed concern that "94% of Danish seventh-grade students already have a social media account before the age of 13," adding, "Mobile phones and social media are stealing our children's childhood."

Denmark's Digital Minister, Caroline Stage, described the Prime Minister's announcement as "a significant turning point." She said, "We have been too naive. We left children's digital lives to platforms that do not care about their happiness. Now, we must move from 'digital confinement' to 'community.'"

This bill is expected to take effect as early as next year.

The Guardian reported that Denmark's move is in line with actions taken by other Northern European countries to raise the minimum age for social media use in order to strengthen youth protection.

According to Australia's law banning social media use by minors, which will take effect in December, if a person under the age of 16 creates an account on platforms such as Facebook or TikTok, the platform could face a fine of up to 49.5 million Australian dollars (approximately 45 billion won).