Recommendation from the Danish commission advises against providing smartphones and tablets to children aged 12 and under
Title: Stop Giving Smartphones to Kids Under 13: Danish Commission
Hey there! It's time to confront a polarizing topic, folks. Denmark's Well-being Commission has just released a set of recommendations, and one of them has left many scratching their heads: kids should steer clear of smartphones and tablets until they're 13.
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In an effort to safeguard mental health among children, the commission has published 35 recommendations. One of these recommendations suggests a ban on devices until children reach the age of 13. This ban on devices is a part of a wider strategy that encourages boosting play, movement, social connections, deep focus, and extracurricular activities in young people, as well as strengthening family and friend relationships.
Culture Minister's Take
Denmark's Minister of Culture, Jakob Engel-Schmidt, boldly stated during a press briefing that screens are stealing the childhood of many kids. He believes kids should use "dumb phones" or watches that can only send and receive calls and texts instead. This might sound like a tough call, but don't forget, it's all in the name of mental health and wellbeing.
Commission's Thoughts
The chair of the commission, Rasmus Meyer, is firm on his belief that parents should remove smartphones from kids under 13, even if they already own one. He warns that once a phone enters a child's room, it takes over everything, potentially harming their self-esteem. However, Meyer was quick to add that this rule should not be "legally enforced" but should spark discussions among families.
Government's Reaction
Denmark's Minister for Digitisation, Caroline Stage, did not explicitly endorse the recommendation but called it "an interesting proposal." She emphasized that this is not something that should be legislated, but rather fosters conversations within families.
The Big Picture
To be clear, the commission's recommendations are focused on Denmark, but they may spark similar discussions in other countries. Especially as concerns about screen exposure and mental health continue to rise worldwide. Furthermore, it's not just Denmark advocating for stricter device usage limits among minors. EU-wide restrictions on social media access for under-15s have already generated debate[2][5].
Beyond the Mental Health Concerns
The commission's report also noted that, despite these concerns, there is no general well-being crisis among young people. The Danish Minister for the Economy, Stephanie Lose, reminds us that the commission serves as a reminder that the majority of young people are generally doing well, but we must have tools to cope with life's challenges.
Moving Forward
The commission also emphasized the need for revisions to the 7-point grading scale currently used in Denmark's education system. The commission's recommendations make for thought-provoking discussions on childhood development, mental health, and digital screen usage, and as parents and policymakers, it's essential to stay informed and engaged.
So, what do you think? Is Denmark onto something, or are these devices an integral part of modern childhood? Let's keep the conversation going by joining the comments section below!
- The Danish Well-being Commission has recommended that children should avoid smartphones and tablets until they turn 13 as part of a wider strategy to promote play, movement, social connections, and extracurricular activities.
- Denmark's Minister of Culture, Jakob Engel-Schmidt, agrees with this proposal, suggesting that kids should use only "dumb phones" or watches that can only send and receive calls and texts.
- Rasmus Meyer, the chair of the commission, strongly urges parents to remove smartphones from children under 13, acknowledging that it may harm their self-esteem if the device becomes a constant presence.
- Denmark's Minister for Digitisation, Caroline Stage, finds the recommendation intriguing but doesn't plan to enforce it legislatively, instead encouraging families to discuss the issue.
- The commission's recommendations have the potential to spark similar discussions in other countries, particularly as worries about screen exposure and mental health continue to escalate worldwide.
- Beyond mental health concerns, the commission's report acknowledges that young people generally are not experiencing a widespread well-being crisis in Denmark.
- The commission also proposes revisions to the education system's 7-point grading scale, which could impact the way young people develop academically.
- The commission's recommendations open up thought-provoking discussions on childhood development, mental health, and digital screen usage, and it's crucial for parents and policymakers to stay informed and engaged in these discussions.
