Denmark is moving forward with a proposal to ban smartphones in schools, the country’s education minister announced on Tuesday.
Mattias Tesfaye confirmed the government’s support for the initiative, stating that preparations are underway to amend the law. While the specifics have not yet been finalized, Tesfaye emphasized that mobile phones and personal tablets will be prohibited on school grounds—both during class and break times.
“We believe screens are taking away the childhoods of many of our children,” said Culture Minister Jakob Engel-Schmidt at a press conference.
This move is based on recommendations from a youth wellbeing commission, which also proposed raising the minimum age for smartphone use to 13. Rasmus Meyer, president of the commission, cautioned against such an age restriction becoming law, saying, “A child’s bedroom should remain a space for rest, not for gadgets that impact their self-esteem and overall wellbeing.”
The plan reflects growing concern about the impact of smartphones on children’s mental health and social development.
AFP
