丹麥政府近日提出一項引發國際熱議的政策建議，內容包括禁止15歲以下青少年使用社交媒體，以及取消紙質書籍的增值稅。這兩項措施分別針對現代社會的兩個重大問題——青少年過度沉迷網絡與閱讀習慣衰退，體現出政府試圖在數位時代中重新平衡科技與文化的決心。

丹麥文化部長在發表提案時指出，近年來丹麥青少年正面臨「閱讀危機」，越來越多的孩子花大量時間在短影音與社群平台上，導致專注力下降、心理焦慮增加，對文字閱讀的興趣也日漸淡薄。政府希望透過紙本書免稅，讓書籍變得更容易取得，鼓勵家庭與學校重新培養紙本閱讀的習慣。這項稅務減免政策不僅被視為文化復興的一環，也象徵政府對知識傳承與文化教育的重視。

另一方面，針對15歲以下禁止使用社交媒體的建議則更具爭議。支持者認為，這是對青少年心理健康與資訊安全的必要防護。研究顯示，社交平台上的內容常帶來比較焦慮、身心壓力與網絡霸凌問題，而未成年用戶尚無足夠能力分辨虛假資訊或抵抗成癮性設計，因此設立年齡門檻有其合理性。然而，反對者則指出，這樣的禁令可能侵犯言論與資訊自由，且在執行上存在巨大挑戰——例如如何驗證年齡、如何防止未成年人透過其他管道繞過限制。

在社會反應上，丹麥國內出現明顯的分歧。教育團體與家長協會普遍對政策表達支持，認為這是為下一代創造更健康學習環境的長遠措施；但部分科技業者與自由派議員批評該政策過於保守，甚至可能導致「數位隔離」，讓青少年在未來的網絡社會中反而處於弱勢地位。

目前，該提案仍在丹麥議會審議階段，尚未正式成為法律。如果最終通過，丹麥將成為歐洲首批立法限制青少年使用社交媒體的國家之一。無論結果如何，這項提議已成功引起全球關注，也讓外界重新思考：在科技高度滲透的當代社會，該如何在保護年輕世代與維護自由選擇之間取得平衡。

The Danish government has recently proposed a bold and highly debated set of measures — banning social media use for those under the age of 15 and removing value-added tax (VAT) on printed books. These two initiatives reflect Denmark’s growing concern over the effects of digital technology on youth mental health and the decline in reading habits, representing an attempt to restore balance between technological progress and cultural preservation.

According to Denmark’s Minister of Culture, the country is facing what she described as a “reading crisis.” Increasing numbers of young Danes are spending hours scrolling through short videos and social media feeds, leading to decreased attention spans, rising anxiety levels, and a loss of interest in reading. By eliminating taxes on printed books, the government hopes to make reading materials more affordable and accessible, encouraging families and schools to rekindle a love for traditional reading. The initiative is seen not only as a cultural revival effort but also as a symbolic commitment to knowledge, literacy, and education.

The social media ban for under-15s, however, has stirred greater controversy. Supporters argue that it is a necessary step to protect minors from psychological harm, online harassment, and exposure to manipulative or addictive digital content. Numerous studies have shown that heavy social media use among children correlates with anxiety, depression, and body image issues. Setting an age limit, advocates say, could provide essential protection for developing minds.
On the other hand, critics warn that such a ban could infringe on freedom of expression and access to information. They also question its practicality — enforcing age verification and preventing children from bypassing restrictions through alternate accounts or platforms could prove nearly impossible.

Public reaction within Denmark is sharply divided. Parents’ associations and education groups largely welcome the proposal, viewing it as a long-term investment in healthier learning and social development. Meanwhile, technology companies and liberal politicians have denounced it as overly restrictive, arguing that it could create a “digital divide” and leave young people ill-prepared for life in an increasingly online world.

The proposal is currently under review in the Danish Parliament and has not yet become law. If approved, Denmark would become one of the first European countries to impose a legal age restriction on social media use. Regardless of the final outcome, the debate has already drawn international attention and sparked a deeper global question — how can societies protect younger generations without sacrificing the freedom and openness that define the digital age?