The government of Denmark is set to pass legislation mandating that students in schools equivalent to primary and lower secondary levels are prohibited from using mobile phones during school hours, including extracurricular activities.
Denmark’s approach aligns with other European Union countries aiming to limit smartphone use in children, as well as social media usage.
The Minister of Education in Denmark stated that this law aims to reclaim the educational space for children, emphasizing that schools should not be an extension of the bedroom at home.
While there are exceptions for students with special needs requiring devices, the ban prohibits usage even during lunch breaks. The committee evaluating this law likened smartphones to cigarettes, suggesting they should not have access to young people before the right time.
Several European countries have similar laws restricting smartphone use among children. France has banned students under 15 from using phones in schools since 2018, while Norway prohibits under 15-year-olds from using social media in all cases. Many European countries are considering whether to introduce laws prohibiting children under 13 from owning their own mobile phones.
Source: The Guardian
TLDR: Denmark is moving to enforce laws banning mobile phone use for students in equivalent to primary and lower secondary levels, aligning with other EU countries aiming to limit smartphone usage in children.
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