The Danish government has proposed a ban on mobile phones in schools, based on recommendations from a special commission on children’s well-being.
According to The Guardian, the new legislative changes would prohibit elementary and middle school students from bringing mobile phones to school.
The commission, established by Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in 2023, examined the reasons behind declining life satisfaction among children and teenagers. In a report published this week, experts expressed concerns about excessive digitalization in children’s lives and suggested measures to find a better balance.
Among the commission’s 35 recommendations is a ban on mobile phone use both during classes and breaks, as well as in extracurricular activities. However, local administrations will be able to grant exceptions, for example, for children with special educational needs.
According to the study, 94% of teenagers had social media accounts before turning 13—the minimum age required to register on most platforms. On average, children aged 9-14 spend around three hours per day on platforms like TikTok and YouTube.
