Finland’s new law, effective August 2024, restricts mobile phone use in primary and secondary schools, prohibiting them during class time. Students require teacher permission for educational or health-related exceptions. School staff can confiscate devices disrupting learning. Despite these restrictions, the government affirms its commitment to supporting students’ digital literacy development.
Studies reveal a concerning decline in cognitive skills across age groups, impacting concentration, reasoning, and problem-solving abilities. This downturn, evident since at least the mid-2010s, predates but was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic’s disruption to education. Contributing factors include a sharp decrease in reading, a shift in information consumption habits towards increased screen time, and a demonstrated decline in numeracy skills. While not indicative of diminished human intellect, these trends suggest a worrisome decline in cognitive potential and performance.
Denmark will ban mobile phones in schools and after-school programs, following a government commission’s recommendation that children under 13 should not own smartphones or tablets. This legal change affects nearly all children aged 7-17, representing a government policy shift. The ban aims to reclaim schools as spaces for learning and reflection, unburdened by constant digital distraction. The commission’s report highlighted excessive screen time among young people and its negative impact on well-being, prompting calls for stricter regulations on children’s access to technology.
John Q. Hosedrinker