Denmark Bans Mobile Phones and Tablets in Schools
"Risks of Exposure to Harmful Content and Inappropriate Cultures"
Global Trend Toward Banning Smartphone Use in Schools
Growing Consensus on the Need for Regulation in South Korea
As countries such as France, the United States, and the United Kingdom implement policies to address students' digital overdependence, the Danish government has also decided to ban the use of mobile phones for students in all Folkeskole (primary and lower secondary schools).
According to the UK Guardian on the 25th (local time), the Danish Ministry of Education announced 35 recommendations including this policy on the same day. The government is also preparing a legislative amendment containing these measures.
The Danish government’s new policy prohibits students from bringing mobile phones or tablets to school. Children under the age of 13 are not allowed to own smartphones or tablets at all. However, local governments may make special exceptions for children requiring special education.
Matias Tesfaye, Denmark’s Minister of Education, emphasized in the announcement, "There is a need to restore schools as educational spaces," adding, "Schools should be spaces that can be owned, not extensions of bedrooms."
"Banning mobile phones is like prohibiting smoking inside schools"
According to a survey by the Danish Welfare Committee, although most social networking services (SNS) restrict usage to those aged 13 and above, 94% of Danish youths already have SNS profiles before turning 13. Additionally, children and adolescents aged 9 to 14 spend an average of more than three hours a day watching TikTok or YouTube.
The committee warned, "SNS use increases the risk of children being exposed to harmful content or inappropriate comparison cultures," and "It deprives them of time and attention essential for growth activities such as leisure, physical activities with friends and family, play, and reading." Rasmus Meyer, chairman of the committee, stated, "Banning mobile phones is like prohibiting smoking inside schools," emphasizing, "The moment you give a child a smartphone, it will dominate the child's entire life."
Recently, many countries around the world have been promoting policies to limit the use of smart devices by children and adolescents. In Norway, the minimum age for SNS use was recently raised to 15 to protect children from social media. The Netherlands has banned the use of smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches in elementary and special schools starting this year, citing distractions and declining academic performance caused by smartphones. France also piloted a ban on students' smartphone use in 200 middle schools last year. In addition, major countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom are strengthening restrictions on smartphone use by elementary, middle, and high school students on school premises.
Growing Consensus on 'Usage Regulation' in South Korea
Recently, voices calling for regulation of smart device use among adolescents have been growing in South Korea as well. In November last year, Jo Jeong-hoon, a member of the National Assembly’s Education Committee from the People Power Party, introduced a bill to amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to restrict the use of smart devices on school premises. Jo stated, "Student smartphone addiction has become a social problem," and explained, "The proposal aims to restrict the use of smart devices on school grounds except when permitted by the school principal and teachers to protect students' mental health." The amendment newly established Article 20-3 (Guidance on Students' Use of Mobile Phones), which states, "Students shall not use smart devices on school premises. However, use is allowed if permitted by the school principal and teachers for educational purposes or emergency situations."
Among teachers and parents on the ground, there is also a strong call to regulate students' smartphone use. In a joint statement released in September last year, the Teachers and Parents Association emphasized, "We feel that children are lost in the waves of smartphones and SNS," and stressed, "The bill is not a simple regulation but a solution to protect children’s lives and help them regain a true childhood."
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