No Phone Before Age 13: Denmark's Latest Smartphone Ban

Denmark's decision to ban smartphones in schools, announced in February 2025, marks a significant policy shift aimed at enhancing educational outcomes and student well-being. This initiative, driven by recommendations from the Danish Wellbeing Commission, , reflects broader concerns about the impact of digital devices on young people.

The government plans to enforce the ban across all folkeskole (primary and lower secondary schools), with flexibility for schools to adapt and exceptions for special needs. While specific enforcement details are pending, some schools already use phone lockers, suggesting a similar approach.

The ban addresses key issues:

• Distraction: Smartphones often divert attention from lessons, with notifications and social media reducing academic performance.

• Mental Health: Excessive screen time is linked to anxiety and depression, aiming to promote healthier student interactions.

• Learning Environment: A phone-free classroom is expected to boost engagement and collaboration, critical for effective education.

Rationale and Objectives

The ban stems from mounting evidence of smartphones' negative effects on learning and mental health. Research suggests that smartphones are a major distraction, with notifications, social media, and games pulling students away from educational content. A study cited by UNESCO (UNESCO calls for a ban on phones in schools) indicates that even proximity to a phone can disrupt concentration, potentially taking students up to 20 minutes to refocus. In Denmark, the Wellbeing Commission’s report, published in February 2025, highlighted that 94% of young people have social media profiles before age 13, with 9- to 14-year-olds spending an average of three hours daily on platforms like TikTok and YouTube (Rest of Europe should follow Denmark’s lead in banning phones in schools). This excessive screen time is linked to increased anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem, prompting the ban to foster healthier interactions and face-to-face communication.

The policy also seeks to enhance learning environments by encouraging active participation and collaborative learning. Educators argue that without the temptation of devices, students are more likely to engage fully with teachers and peers, potentially improving academic performance. A meta-analysis of smartphone bans worldwide found a modest positive effect on social well-being, reducing issues like bullying, though academic performance impacts were less pronounced (To Ban or Not to Ban? A Rapid Review on the Impact of Smartphone Bans in Schools).

Implementation Details

The Danish government intends to amend legislation to make all folkeskole phone-free, affecting nearly all children aged 7 to 16-17. Education Minister Mattias Tesfaye stated that mobile phones and personal tablets will not be allowed during lessons or breaks, though exceptions will be made for students with special educational needs (Denmark to ban mobile phones in schools and after-school clubs). The implementation timeline is not yet finalized, but it follows a phased approach, allowing schools flexibility to adapt policies. Some schools already use practices like phone lockers, as seen at Trongårdsskolen, where students store devices upon arrival (Back to old-school: Schools in Denmark lock in smartphones during the school day). Enforcement may involve similar measures, though challenges like student compliance and parental communication in emergencies are anticipated.

The ban is expected to yield several benefits:

• Reduced Distraction: By eliminating smartphone use, schools aim to improve student focus, potentially boosting academic outcomes, especially for lower-achieving students, as seen in UK studies (The impact of banning mobile phones in Swedish secondary schools).

• Improved Mental Health: Limiting screen time during school hours could mitigate anxiety and depression, aligning with global concerns raised by the U.S. Surgeon General (A Look at State Efforts to Ban Cellphones in Schools and Implications for Youth Mental Health).

• Enhanced Social Interaction: Without phones, students may engage more in face-to-face interactions, strengthening social skills and community bonds, a finding supported by Danish school policies reducing social problems (Mobile Phone Use in Danish Schools).

However, challenges exist:

• Enforcement: Ensuring compliance may be difficult, with some students potentially attempting to circumvent rules, as seen in Norway where students brought multiple phones (What happened when Norway banned smartphones in schools?).

• Educational Use: Critics argue smartphones can be educational tools, and a ban might limit digital literacy, a concern echoed by the Danish School Leaders’ Association, noting 84% of schools already have mobile policies (Government proposes phone-free school law).

• Parental Concerns: Parents may worry about emergency communication, though exceptions could address this.

Global Context and Comparisons

Denmark’s policy aligns with a global trend, with 24% of countries introducing smartphone restrictions by 2023, according to UNESCO (Smartphone bans in schools: Where is it happening and why?). France banned phones in schools since 2018, reporting improved learning outcomes, while Norway set a minimum social media age of 15, reflecting similar concerns (Mobile phones in schools: Mandating a ban?). However, outcomes vary, with some studies showing mixed results on academic performance, highlighting the need for regular evaluation.

Alternatives and Future Considerations

Alternatives to a complete ban include restricted use policies, phone lockers, and educational programs on digital literacy. For instance, Danish schools with 88% already having mobile policies often use controlled usage to balance distraction reduction and educational benefits (Mobile Phone Use in Danish Schools). Future developments may involve a national framework for consistency, ensuring the ban’s impact is monitored and adjusted based on outcomes.

In conclusion, Denmark’s smartphone ban in schools is a bold step to prioritize student well-being and learning, reflecting global trends but also sparking local debates. Its success will depend on effective implementation, stakeholder engagement, and ongoing evaluation.

List of Countries that have implemented policies to ban or significantly restrict smartphone use in schools, similar to Denmark’s recent initiative.

• 🇫🇷 France – Since 2018, France has banned mobile phones in nurseries, primary, and secondary schools (up to age 15) during school hours, including breaks, with exceptions for educational use or students with disabilities. In 2025, it’s testing a "digital break" in 200 secondary schools, potentially leading to a nationwide expansion.

  
  

• 🇳🇱 Netherlands – A nationwide ban on smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches in classrooms began in secondary schools in January 2024 and extended to primary schools in September 2024. Schools have flexibility in enforcement, with exceptions for medical or educational needs.

  
  

• 🇮🇹 Italy – Italy banned mobile phones in classrooms in 2007, with a broader prohibition on personal devices like tablets reinforced in recent years. Teachers often collect phones at the start of the day, though enforcement varies by school.

  
  

• 🇧🇪 Belgium – In 2024, French-speaking regions (Wallonia and Brussels) banned smartphones in primary and secondary schools (over 370 schools, 132,600 students). Flemish-speaking areas are expected to follow, with some schools already implementing restrictions.

  
  

• 🇬🇷 Greece – Students can bring phones to school but must keep them off and in backpacks during the school day, a policy tightened in 2024 to curb classroom distractions.

  
  

• 🇪🇸 Spain – Smartphone bans vary by region, with most of the 17 autonomous communities (except Basque Country, La Rioja, and Navarre) enforcing restrictions by 2024. Studies in Spain show improved academic outcomes post-ban, particularly for struggling students.

  
  

• 🇨🇳 China – Since 2021, students need written parental consent to bring phones to school, aiming to protect eyesight, concentration, and prevent internet addiction. Some cities, like Zhengzhou, tightened rules further in 2024.

  
  

• 🇫🇮 Finland – Schools have autonomy, but many prohibit smartphone use during lessons, aligning with a national push to limit distractions and promote traditional learning.

  
  

• 🇵🇹 Portugal – Partial or total bans exist in many schools, often supported by guidelines on screen time and social media restrictions within educational settings.

  
  

• 🇸🇪 Sweden – Phones are banned in classrooms for grades 1-9 (up to age 16) unless used for learning, with a 2023 policy extending restrictions to breaks. The government is considering further limits.

  
  

• 🇬🇧 United Kingdom – In February 2024, non-statutory guidance recommended banning phones throughout the school day, including breaks. Many schools already had policies, but enforcement varies as it’s left to headteachers.

  
  

• 🇦🇺 Australia – All state schools ban smartphones, with implementation differing by state and territory (e.g., New South Wales and South Australia have formal bans). Methods include phone lockers or pouches.

  
  

• 🇭🇺 Hungary – A 2024 decree mandates schools to collect phones at the start of the day, aiming to limit distractions and improve social interaction.

  
  

• 🇰🇷 South Korea – Many schools restrict phone use during class, aligning with high academic standards, though policies are often school-specific rather than national.

  
  

• 🇯🇵 Japan – Classroom phone use is generally prohibited, with schools enforcing strict rules to maintain focus, reflecting cultural emphasis on discipline.

  
  

• 🇸🇬 Singapore – Schools commonly ban phones during instructional time, supporting its reputation for top-performing students, though some allow limited use for educational purposes.

These policies vary in scope, enforcement, and exceptions, but they share the common goal of reducing distractions, improving learning environments, and addressing student well-being. The information is based on trends and developments up to March 9, 2025, reflecting a growing global movement.

This list isn’t exhaustive, as policies evolve and some countries (e.g., Germany, Poland, Switzerland) leave restrictions to regional or school discretion rather than national mandates. By the end of 2024, UNESCO noted that 40% of global education systems (79 countries) had some form of smartphone ban, up from 30% in 2023, indicating a rapid shift. Denmark’s policy, targeting ages 7-17 and extending to after-school clubs, fits this trend but is notably comprehensive in scope.

For the most current updates beyond March 9, 2025, or specifics on enforcement, further research into individual education ministries would be needed, as policies are dynamic and often debated.