Denmark Moves to Ban Smartphones for Children, Citing Harmful Effects

The Danish government has adopted a set of recommendations aimed at drastically limiting children’s exposure to smartphones and screens.

Among the 35 proposals, two key measures stand out: a complete ban on smartphone use in schools and a prohibition on children under the age of 13 from owning smartphones—both at home and in school. Limited exceptions may apply for children with special educational needs.

These recommendations, expected to be passed into law, will impact children between the ages of 7 and 17. The initiative stems from a government-backed committee that studied the alarming rise in depression and emotional distress among children, finding a direct link between excessive screen time and mental health issues.

Denmark’s Minister of Education stressed that mobile phones and tablets “have no place in schools, neither during lessons nor during breaks.”

This development serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by unfiltered access to technology. In Torah homes, where parents and mechanchim work diligently to preserve kedushah and proper chinuch, Denmark’s move highlights the importance of maintaining strict safeguards against the spiritual and emotional harms of smartphones.

As the effects of technology become clearer, the urgency to shield our children from these influences continues to grow. The message is clear: If even secular governments are recognizing the risks, how much more must we, as Torah Jews, take action to protect the ruchniyus and well-being of the next generation.