Keeping in mind the future and mental health of children, the Denmark government has decided to take a big step. In fact, recently, the government of this country has announced that it will soon ban the use of mobile phones and tablets in school and after-school clubs for 7 to 17 years old.
This decision has been taken after the recommendation of a government commission, which found that mobile and social media are having a very bad effect on young children. The Commission has clearly stated that children under the age of 13 should not have their own smartphone or tablet.
Mobile free zones will become primary and lower secondary school
The government is now making changes in the law so that all ‘Folkaskol’ i.e. primary and lower secondary schools of the country can be made mobile-free zone. This means that children from the age of 7 to 17 years will not be allowed to bring mobile to school. Neither during class, neither in brake nor after-school clubs.
However, children with certain special needs can be exempted from this rule. & Nbsp;
What Minister of Education said
According to a report by Mint, Denmark’s children and Education Minister Matias Tesfay said that mobile phones distract the attention of children and harm their mental health. At the same time, the Chairman of the Commission, Rit Mayor says, ‘As soon as a phone comes in the child’s room, he captures his life. This can weaken both confidence and self-respect of children. ‘
In the report of the Commission, shocking facts
- About 94% of children become active on social media platforms before the age of 13, while the minimum age limit there is 13 years.
- 9 to 14 years old children spend about 3 hours daily on social media
- Children are facing problems like harmful content, pressure to stay online at all times and comparison to others
- Not only this, due to more screen time, children are now forgetting to play and hold as before, spend time with family and fulfill their hobbies.
Government’s decision is getting support
This decision has also received the support of Denmark Culture Minister Jacob Angle-Smit. He said, ‘The screen is snatching their childhood from our children.’
However, not all people fully agree with this decision. Principals of some schools in Denmark have expressed concern that there are already rules regarding mobile use in their schools and they fear that the government’s intervention will affect their autonomy.
Denmark is now going to join the list of countries who are taking strict steps to protect children from the bad effects of the digital world. France banned schools in 2018 and the minimum age of social media in Norway has been fixed at 15 years. Overall, this step of Denmark is a strong attempt taken for children’s good. However, after its implementation, it will be interesting to see what effect it would have on children, parents and schools.