Denmark to ban mobile phones in schools to protect children’s wellbeinDe

Denmark will ban mobile phones in schools and after-school clubs following recommendations from a government commission. The new legislation will apply to all folkeskole—comprehensive primary and lower secondary schools—requiring students aged 7 to 16-17 to leave their phones at home.

The decision marks a shift in government policy as concerns grow across Europe about children’s screen time and social media use. Education Minister Mattias Tesfaye said schools should be spaces for learning and reflection, not digital extensions of teenage life.

The government-commissioned report warned of the negative impact of excessive screen time on children’s mental health, urging a better balance between digital and offline activities. It also recommended that children under 13 should not have their own smartphone or tablet.

Similar restrictions are being introduced in other European countries, including France and Norway, as governments seek to protect children from the potential harms of social media and addictive digital content.