The European Commission presented a proposal on September 17 to ban social media for children under 13, and students at a Danish efterskole near Viborg say the plan is a good idea.
DR reports that Commission President Ursula von der Leyen officially presented the legislative package on September 17. It is intended to protect children and young people on digital platforms.
Several students at Bjergsnæs Efterskole near Viborg told DR they support the initiative. They also back the plan to curb screen use at night and during school hours.
According to the European Commission, children under 13 would not be able to use social media at all. Children aged 13 and 14 would get a parent-controlled mini-account with a daily limit of one hour.
The proposal also requires platforms to build in time management and interruption tools. Providers must effectively block access for 13 and 14 year olds at night and during school hours.
Night sleep and push notifications
The draft law defines at least eight continuous hours of core night sleep between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. Access must also be blocked during the hours when minors are normally expected to be in school.
Services would additionally be barred from sending push notifications to children’s phones in those periods. DR has published a separate overview of how the rules could affect Danish families.
At Bjergsnæs Efterskole, students already have phone access for only one hour in the evening. William Legaard Jensen, a 10th grade student, told DR he used to lie awake with his phone before starting at the school. He said he arrived at class tired and now sleeps much better.
Gertrud Hegelund, also in 10th grade, said it helps that someone else sets the limit for her. She got access to social media at 13 and said she quickly became more dependent on her phone, because there was always something to check.
Both students said the package would affect sleep and schooling for many young people if it is finally adopted. Hegelund said she does not expect negative consequences for a generation raised under stricter rules.
Reuters reports that the proposal must now be negotiated with EU member states and the European Parliament before it can become law. Reuters also reported on September 14 that a leaked draft pointed to the same age model and time limits.
Denmark has already seen similar restrictions at school level, including boarding schools banning phones for new students. The Commission proposal, known as the KIDS Act, would apply across the EU.
