Denmark to Ban Mobile Phones in Schools and After-School Clubs
Government Implements Recommendations to Restrict Smartphone Use Among Children Under 13
Denmark is set to introduce a nationwide ban on mobile phones in schools and after-school clubs following the recommendations of a government-appointed commission. The commission also advised that children under the age of 13 should not have their own smartphones or tablets.
The Danish government announced plans to amend existing legislation, requiring all folkeskole—comprehensive primary and lower secondary schools—to become phone-free environments. This means that nearly all students aged 7 to 16-17 will be legally prohibited from bringing their phones to school.
This decision represents a significant shift in policy, as the government had previously resisted calls for such a ban. The move aligns with broader European efforts to impose stricter regulations on children's access to digital devices and social media.
Concerns Over Digitalization of Childhood
The Danish Wellbeing Commission, established by Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in 2023, conducted an in-depth study into the growing dissatisfaction among young people. Its recently published report highlighted the impact of digital devices on children's lives and emphasized the need for a healthier balance between digital and offline activities.
Among its 35 recommendations was a call for legislation banning phones from schools and after-school programs. The minister for children and education, Mattias Tesfaye, explained the rationale behind the ban, stating:
"There is a need to reclaim the school as an educational space, where there is room for reflection and where it is not an extension of the teenage bedroom."
While local authorities may grant exceptions for students with special educational needs, Tesfaye stressed that mobile phones and personal tablets “do not belong in school, neither during breaks nor during lessons.” The government has already begun working on the legislative changes needed to implement this policy.
Growing Evidence of Negative Effects
Tesfaye acknowledged that schools had rapidly integrated digital devices without fully considering the consequences. He noted that recent academic studies and government commissions have shed light on the negative effects of excessive screen use on children's well-being.
The commission’s research revealed that 94% of young people had a social media profile before the official minimum age of 13. Additionally, children aged 9 to 14 were found to spend an average of three hours daily on platforms like TikTok and YouTube.
The report warned that excessive screen time could expose children to harmful social comparisons, constant availability pressure, and inappropriate content. It also argued that digital distractions take away from essential childhood experiences, such as hobbies, social interactions, play, and reading.
The commission called on tech companies to take greater responsibility for protecting children from addictive platform designs and harmful content. It also urged parents to delay giving children smartphones or tablets until they are at least 13 years old.
A Broader European Trend
Rasmus Meyer, chair of the Danish Wellbeing Commission, likened the mobile phone ban to prohibiting smoking in schools. He warned that once a child is given a smartphone, “it will colonize the child’s entire life.”
Denmark's move follows similar measures in other European countries. France banned phone use in primary and secondary schools in 2018 and has since trialed a “digital pause” policy, requiring students up to age 15 to hand in their phones upon arrival. Norway recently introduced a strict minimum age of 15 for social media use, citing concerns that tech companies exploit young children’s cognitive vulnerabilities.
With growing evidence of the negative impact of excessive screen time on children, Denmark’s new legislation represents a significant step toward reclaiming schools as focused learning environments.
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