Advisory issued by Danish panel: Refrain from providing smartphones and tablets to children aged 12 and under
Children shouldn't possess their own smartphone or tablet before the age of 13, as per the recommendations from Denmark's Well-being Commission.
Recently, the Danish government commission, aptly named Trivselskommission, published 35 recommendations to enhance mental health in children. Part of these recommendations includes barring devices until the kids are 13. The commission was appointed to tackle issues impacting children and young adults up to 25, with a particular focus on mental health concerns.
Among the commission's objectives are increasing play, promoting social interactions, boosting extracurricular activities, and encouraging meaningful in-person relationships. It's not all doom and gloom; the report also clarified there's no general well-being crisis among the youth.
Minister of culture, Jakob Engel-Schmidt, stated, "Screens are snatching the innocence from many of our children." To avoid this digital takeover, children could opt for a so-called "dumb phone" that only allows calls and texting, or they might use a simple watch instead of devices.
Rasmus Meyer, the commission's chair, even goes a step further, advocating parents to remove smartphones from under-13s, regardless of device ownership. Meyer emphasized that a device in a child's room can negatively impact their self-esteem, and overall well-being.
Minister for Digitisation, Caroline Stage, didn't outright endorse the recommendation but deemed it an "intriguing proposal." She highlighted that the recommendations should spark family discussions rather than being legally enforced.
The commission recommended revisions to the 7-point grading scale prevalent in Danish education, which only proves the government's commitment to improving the educational landscape for its youth.
Younger children seeking alternatives to digital devices might find solace in educational tools and activities that foster cognitive development without screen dependency. These range from interactive learning resources, board games, outdoor adventures, and meaningful engagement with family and friends.
- The Danish government commission's objective to increase play might be achieved through the use of educational tools and activities that foster cognitive development without screen dependency, such as interactive learning resources, board games, outdoor adventures, and meaningful engagement with family and friends.
- As the Minister for Digitisation, Caroline Stage considers the recommendation to bar children under 13 from possessing smartphones an "intriguing proposal," it suggests a shift in focus towards promoting cultural activities that encourage offline engagement, such as educational tools, art, and outdoor adventures.
- In light of the Danish government commission's concern over a potential negative impact of screen time on children's self-esteem and overall well-being, there has been renewed interest in promoting alternative news sources and informal learning opportunities in the form of educational tools, lectures, documentaries, and museum visits, which could contribute to a more well-rounded and culturally enriched upbringing.
