In a world where access to technology is easy and cheap, children are overexposed to things they need no to be at certain ages.
In order to curb such, Denmark is pushing a bold new move by placing restrictions on phones and social media.
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Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has proposed banning social media use for children under 15.
Speaking at the opening of parliament, she warned that smartphones and online platforms are “stealing our children’s childhood,” and described the internet as having “unleashed a monster.”
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She pointed to rising rates of anxiety, depression, and worsening attention spans among youth as part of her rationale.
Mette claimed many kids are seeing harmful content and suffering reading and concentration difficulties from excessive screen time.
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She didn’t name which platforms would be included. The proposal would allow parents to grant permission for children as young as 13 to use social media. If approved quickly, the ban could go live as soon as next year.
This isn’t Denmark’s first step in this direction. In February, the government moved to ban mobile phones in schools and after-school clubs, following recommendations from a wellbeing commission.
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The same commission also suggested children under 13 shouldn’t have their own smartphones or tablets.
Countries like Australia is also planning to restrict social media access for under-16s, and in Norway, the government is pushing to raise the minimum from 13 to 15.
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