Denmark plans social media ban for under-15s as PM warns phones ‘stealing childhood’

Mette Frederiksen: ‘On screens they see things no child or young person should see.’ Photograph: Mads Claus Rasmussen/EPA

The Danish prime minister says the country will ban social media for under-15s, as she accused mobile phones and social networks of “stealing our children’s childhood”.

Mette Frederiksen used her speech on Tuesday at the opening of Folketing, the Danish parliament, to announce the proposal, in which she said: “We have unleashed a monster.” She added: “Never before have so many children and young people suffered from anxiety and depression.”