Denmark has announced plans to introduce a social media ban for children under the age of 15 as part of efforts to protect young people from the negative effects of online platforms.

Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen disclosed the initiative on Tuesday during a speech to parliament at the opening of its autumn session. She did not specify which platforms would be affected or how the ban would be enforced, and no timeline for the bill has been released.

Under the proposal, parents would be allowed to grant access to social media from the age of 13.

“The cell phone and social media are robbing our children of their childhood,” Frederiksen said, noting that 60 percent of Danish boys aged 11 to 19 now prefer staying home over spending time with friends.

The move comes as several countries tighten rules to limit young people’s exposure to online content. In late 2024, Australia passed a similar law banning social media use for children under 16, though details of its enforcement are still unclear. The Australian ban covers major platforms including Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube.

Greece has also proposed introducing a digital age of adulthood across the European Union. The measure would require parental consent before children can access social media platforms, marking a coordinated regional push for stronger online protections for minors.

Denmark announced its plan to effect the ban earlier this year following recommendations from a youth wellbeing commission, which also recommended restricting the use of smartphones to those aged 13 and older.

Rasmus Meyer, the president of the commission had noted that children’s “well-being and self-esteem suffers” when they are exposed to smartphones at a young age.