Ban mobile phones in schools across Europe, says Danish expert
The whole of Europe should follow Denmark's lead by banning mobile phones from schools to stop them from being 'colonised by digital platforms', the chair of the country's wellbeing commission has said.
Removing mobile phones from schools gave young people a 'pause' from online life, teaching them how to be part of analogue communities and train their attention spans, said Rasmus Meyer, who led the government commission to investigate growing dissatisfaction among children and young people.
The commission's report, published last month, raised the alarm over the digitalisation of the lives of children and young people. Among its 35 recommendations was a change in legislation to ban phones from schools and after-school clubs – which the government has said it will impose across all folkeskole (comprehensive primary and lower secondary schools). The commission also said children under 13 should not have their own smartphone or tablet.
In an interview with the Guardian, Meyer said all European countries should ban mobile phones in schools and called for EU regulation on it, adding: 'And if we find out in five years that it was better with the phones, we can reintroduce them. But I don't think that will be the case.'
Schools should be phone-free 'to give young people a pause from online life, to teach them how to be in analogue communities and to train their attention ability … It's also a way of guarding schools and respecting them as important institutions in our society that shouldn't be colonised by these digital platforms.'
Children who were not allowed to have phones in schools had better attention spans, he said, and were better at playing with one another and were quieter during lessons.
Spending time together away from their phones at school, it is hoped, will help 'train' them in how to be around other children outside school.
'These developments have happened so fast that we, as a society, have been behind. This is our attempt to get ahead of the development and push back against this commercialised digitalisation of children's lives,' Meyer said.
'You can see it as a pushback, or a way of guarding the childhood against technologies that have been proven to damage a lot of kids' self-esteem and attention.'
The commission found that 94% of young people in Denmark had a social media profile before they turned 13 – despite that being the minimum age for many social media platforms – and that nine- to 14-year-olds spent an average of three hours a day on TikTok and YouTube.
Despite a clear connection between many of the problems affecting young children and young people – including with attention and self-esteem – many children in Denmark and across Europe are still permitted to take them into school.
Meyer said: 'We wouldn't allow kids to bring their PlayStation into the classroom, but that is what really happens on a daily basis when we allow them to bring in their phone.'
Sign up to This is Europe
The most pressing stories and debates for Europeans – from identity to economics to the environment
after newsletter promotion
Children's safety online was often overlooked, he said. 'It's really shocking that we … accept that a lot of kids are spending 8-10 hours a day on their phones. We are very focused on their security in the physical world, but we have kind of given up online as parents and as a society.'
Skolen på Grundtvigsvej in Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, has been mobile-free since 2018. The school's headteacher, Helle Bjerg, said: 'It's very simple, you're not allowed to have your phone on you during school hours. When you enter the school all phones are gathered and when the school day ends you are give your phone again.'
As a result, she said, children did not have their attention lured away by phones and they talked to each other more. But with much of learning materials digitalised, they still have issues with school computers.
At their after-school club, in a big house nearby, children are allowed to keep their phones on them but are discouraged from using them. A sign on the door tells children they are entering a mobile-free zone, urging them to 'give yourself a good break from your mobile phone'. In slightly starker terms, it warns: 'Mobiles aren't going away, but friendship networks can.'
Standing at the kitchen counter surrounded by freshly baked buns, the school and club pedagogue Hjalte Petersen said mobile-free children played together more. 'Many years ago, we had no rules about screens of any kinds, and many kids were just sitting on their own with their own telephone,' he said. 'Many were just in their own world.'
Taking phones away encouraged interaction. 'If you take the screen away, obviously you have to do something else to not get bored and play together.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
4 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Putin could attack Nato by 2030, alliance boss warns as ‘Europe needs to build its own Golden Dome defence system'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) VLADIMIR Putin could launch an assault on NATO by 2030, an alliance chief has warned. Mark Rutte, NATO's secretary general, has urged Europe to build "its own Golden Dome defence system" to protect countries from Russia's looming threat. 6 The NATO chief warned the end of the war in Ukraine won't stop the Russian threat Credit: AP 6 The alliance boss warned of Russia's threat to the UK and other European countries Credit: Getty 6 Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte spoke about Russia's looming threat at Chatham House Credit: PA The NATO head said that the alliance would need to take a "quantum leap" in building up its defence systems as Putin's war machine is "speeding up, not slowing down." Speaking at the world-leading policy institute, Chatham House, he urged European leaders to increase their air and missile defence capabilities by a staggering 400 per cent. Europe should also be prepared to protect its skies, as Russia's war on Ukraine has shown the despot leader "delivers terror from above". He said: "The fact is, we need a quantum leap in our collective defence. "The fact is, we must have more forces and capabilities to implement our defence plans in full. "The fact is, danger will not disappear even when the war in Ukraine ends." In an urgent plea to leaders, he called for militaries to be armed with thousands more vehicles and tanks, and millions more artillery shells. He also insisted allies double their resources supporting military power including logistics, transport and medical aid. Terrifyingly, Rutte also hinted at a potential triple threat - with Mad Vlad teaming up with despot leaders in China, North Korea and Iran. Russia currently produces in three months what the whole of NATO produces in a year, he said. Russia's ambassador to the UK 'blames Britain' for Ukraine's daring drone attack & warns of 'WWIII risk' China is also modernising and expanding its military, with its battle force expected to increase to 435 ships by 2030. He warned: "Wishful thinking will not keep us safe. We cannot dream away the danger. "Hope is not a strategy. So NATO has to become a stronger, fairer and more lethal alliance." The alliance chief's comments came as he pushed for NATO members to commit to ramping up defence spending at a key summit of the western military alliance later this month. Rutte is urging NATO members to commit to 3.5 percent of GDP on direct military spending by 2032, and an additional 1.5 percent on broader security-related expenditure. The proposal is a compromise deal designed to satisfy US President Donald Trump, who has demanded that allies each spend 5 percent of economic output on defence, up from a current commitment of two percent. Rutte said he "expects" leaders to agree to the proposal at the summit of the 32-country alliance on June 24-25 in The Hague. 6 The Israeli Iron Dome air defence system has protected the state from missile attacks Credit: AP 6 Donald Trump recently unveiled plans to build a Golden Dome over America "It will be a NATO-wide commitment and a defining moment for the alliance," he said in his speech. Russia condemned Rutte's comments before he took to the stage, denouncing NATO as "an instrument of aggression". NATO "is demonstrating itself as an instrument of aggression and confrontation", Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters in Moscow. This follows Rutte's meeting with the UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer - their second Downing Street talk since the Labour leader came into power last year. Starmer's government this year pledged to increase defence spending to 2.5 percent of GDP by 2027, but has not yet set a firm timeline for further hikes. Meanwhile, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Canada would hit two percent this year. US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth said last week the allies were close to an agreement on the split five-percent target. "That combination constitutes a real commitment, and we think every country can step up," he said on Thursday. Space rockets & hypersonic interceptors…Trump unveils half-a-trillion dollar Golden Dome air defence to be ready by 2029 DONALD Trump has unveiled plans for a high-tech "Golden Dome" missile defence system, which the president claims should be operational by the end of his term in office. The futuristic concept announced by Trump would see American weapons put in space for the first time ever. Trump had already signalled his intent to set up a Golden Dome following his return to the White House, calling missile attacks the "most catastrophic threat facing the United States". The idea is modelled on Israel's Iron Dome defence system, which uses radar to detect incoming missiles and calculates which ones pose a threat to populated areas. But the Golden Dome would be an infinitely bigger project, not least because the United States is more than 400 times larger than Israel. During his announcement in the Oval Office yesterday, Trump said his new Golden Dome would be "capable of intercepting missiles even if they are launched from the other side of the world". NATO members have been scrambling to bolster their defence capabilities since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Trump's return to the White House in January, and question marks over his commitment to European security, has added urgency. Rutte warned: "Danger will not disappear even when the war in Ukraine ends. "We must have more forces and capabilities to implement our defence plans in full." He added that if countries cannot commit to 5 percent for defence spending "you could still have the National Health Service, or in other countries, their health systems, the pension system, etc, but you better learn to speak Russian. I mean, that's the consequence". Britain announced plans last week to build up to 12 nuclear-powered attack submarines and six munitions factories to rearm the country in response to what it said were threats from Russia.
Leader Live
4 hours ago
- Leader Live
TikTok creating more than 500 new British jobs as UK users top 30 million
The Chinese-owned social media firm said its UK workforce would expand to 3,000 this year as part of its 'deep commitment' to the UK. It will also open a new 135,000sq ft office in London's Barbican, which is set to open early next year. The group already has its UK headquarters in Farringdon, London, which were opened in 2022. TikTok unveiled the plans as it said it now has more than 30 million regular users in the UK each month, which makes the market is biggest user community in Europe. Adam Presser, director of TikTok UK and global head of operations and trust and safety, said: 'Whether through direct investment in jobs and innovation, or the wider economic contribution from millions of British businesses on TikTok, we're pleased to be increasing our investment and presence here in the UK, an important hub for TikTok.' But it comes after Cabinet minister Pete Kyle signalled he was looking at measures to restrict the amount of time children spend on their phones, including through a possible 10pm curfew. Mr Kyle was asked on Sunday morning whether he would look at limiting the time children spend on social media to two hours per app after the Sunday People and Mirror reported the measure was being considered by ministers. The Online Safety Act has passed into law, and from this year will require tech platforms to follow new Ofcom-issued codes of practice to keep users safe online, particularly children. Hefty fines and site blockages are among the penalties for those caught breaking the rules, but many critics have argued the approach gives tech firms too much scope to regulate themselves. TikTok's Mr Presser said that, as well as its UK expansion plans, the group also invests 'significantly' in safety. He said: 'What underpins our continued growth is our deep commitment to safety and to creating an enjoyable and secure digital space to sustainably support creators, entrepreneurs and the wider economy, which is why we also invest significantly in safety.' TikTok first launched its UK operations in 2018 and is financially incorporated in Britain. The group was fined 530 million euro (£446 million) by the Irish data protection watchdog last month for breaching EU privacy rules around transferring user data to China. The video-sharing app was also sanctioned for not being transparent with users about where personal data was being sent and ordered the platform to comply with data protection rules within six months. TikTok said it would appeal against the decision. The social media giant, which is owned by China-based ByteDance, has been under scrutiny from regulators around the world over how it handles personal data, and is also facing a ban in the United States over its China links, which the US government has said is a national security issue.
South Wales Argus
4 hours ago
- South Wales Argus
Nato chief says UK's defence spending plans not at odds with 5% goal
The Nato chief would not reveal the deadline for when he hopes Nato allies will reach the target as he spoke at London's Chatham House. He said he had a 'clear view' on when he thinks countries should get there but said he would keep it to himself. Countries that do not ramp up defence spending should 'learn to speak Russian', he said. Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte giving a speech at Chatham House during his visit to the UK (Yui Mok/PA) He had earlier commended the UK for plans unveiled in the strategic defence review last week as he met Sir Keir Starmer at Downing Street on Monday. Mr Rutte said the UK's goals to spend 2.5% on defence from April 2027 and then aim to get to 3% over the next parliament were not at odds with his own proposed target for the bloc. He has proposed members of the bloc spend 5% of gross domestic product (GDP) on defence as part of a strengthened investment plan for the alliance. The target would require nations to raise core defence spending to 3.5% of GDP, while the remaining 1.5% is to be made up of 'defence-related expenditure'. He said every country is 'working in cycles' and that he was 'really impressed' with the UK's plans under the strategic defence review unveiled last week. 'I've seen sometimes in the British press that there is the defence review and now there is this proposal I made about the 5%, the 3.5% core and 1.5% defence and security-related spending. 'So then people are saying 'hey there is discrepancy', I don't think there is. Why not? Because every country is working in cycles to constantly update its own defence strategy.' Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (left) welcomed Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte to Downing Street (Jordan Pettitt/PA) He said it was not up to him to decide how countries get there, when asked if he believed Chancellor Rachel Reeves should raise taxes to meet defence spending commitments. 'I mean, what I know is that if we want to keep our societies safe… look, if you do not do this, if you would not go to the 5%, including the 3.5% core defence spending, you could still have the National Health Service, or in other countries their health systems, the pension system, etcetera, but you had better learn to speak Russian.' The upcoming Nato summit would focus on a 'credible path' to get to the 'longer-term goal' of reaching 5%, he said. The 5% goal is not 'some figure plucked from the air', he said. 'The fact is we need a quantum leap in our defence. The fact is we must have more forces and capability to implement our defence plans in full.' While he said the 'exact details are classified', Mr Rutte said there needed to be a 400% increase in air and missile defence. He said Russia could be ready to use force against Nato within five years. 'The new generation of Russian missiles travel at many times the speed of sound. The distance between European capitals is only a matter of minutes. There is no longer east or west. There is just Nato.' As he met with Sir Keir in the White Room of No 10, he commended the Prime Minister on the 'very good stuff' in the defence review. 'It is not only about the traditional things, of course we need them, like ammunition… there is also drones, innovation, building the defence industrial base. It is really broad, it is really making a big impression in Brussels I can tell you,' he said. Sir Keir described Nato as 'the most effective military alliance the world has ever seen' (Jordan Pettitt/PA) Sir Keir called Nato the 'cornerstone of our defence' and the 'most effective military alliance the world has ever seen', adding that the task of the upcoming summit was to make sure it serves that purpose for decades to come. Sir Keir also spoke to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Monday and the two leaders welcomed efforts by Nato allies to step up defence spending as well as Mr Rutte's suggestions to further boost it, a Downing Street spokeswoman said. The boost to the defence budget announced last week will be confirmed by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in her spending review on Wednesday, when she will set out the Government's priorities for the next three years.
