The Growing Concern Over Smartphone Use Among Children
The prevalence of children fixated on smartphone screens at school, at home, and everywhere in between has become a worrying norm. This trend has sparked rising concerns about various negative psychological impacts, including distractions in academic settings, exposure to misinformation, social media addiction, and issues related to online harassment and bullying.
During a recent meeting in Brussels, youth and education ministers from the EU discussed several measures to address these issues, including phone bans in schools, stricter age verification for online activities, limitations on social media usage by minors, and a comprehensive EU strategy to combat cyberbullying.
Italy is at the forefront of this movement, with Education Minister Giuseppe Valditara advocating for a ban on smartphone use in classrooms for students under 14 throughout Europe. Diplomatic sources report that 11 EU member states—including France, Sweden, Austria, Cyprus, and Greece—expressed their support for this initiative, alongside the rotating Polish presidency.
“If we truly care about our children, we must ensure they have a break from their phones in school,” Valditara asserted. He emphasized the need for a coordinated European approach to tackle issues such as cyberbullying, child pornography, self-harm, and gender-based violence online.
On Monday, EU Commissioner for Youth Glenn Micallef unveiled a vision for an Action Plan on Cyberbullying, acknowledging the dual nature of social media—it can be beneficial but also detrimental to mental health and social cohesion. “I want everyone, especially children and other vulnerable groups, to feel safe online, without the threat of harm or harassment,” he stated.
Digital Distractions
Valditara referenced scientific studies indicating that excessive mobile device usage during childhood negatively impacts cognitive development, leading to diminished concentration, memory, language skills, and critical thinking. Moreover, he noted that excessive smartphone use at a young age is increasingly recognized as a significant factor contributing to social isolation.
According to data from the OECD’s PISA 2022 study, approximately 65% of students reported being distracted by digital devices during math lessons. The study also highlighted concerns about addictions, with an average of 45% of students feeling anxious when their phones are not nearby.
The findings, released in 2023 and 2024, suggested that moderate digital device use for educational purposes correlates with better academic performance and a heightened sense of belonging at school. However, students engaged in leisure activities on their devices for more than an hour daily tended to score lower in math. PISA evaluates the skills of 15-year-olds in mathematics, science, and reading.
Implementing School Policies
To address these issues, certain member states have already enacted phone bans in schools, while others are contemplating similar measures. The regulations can vary widely within individual states, regions, or even individual schools, ranging from total bans on school premises to restricting phone use during specific periods, such as breaks.
In Bulgaria, students have been prohibited from using smartphones in class since 2016, with the government pushing for a total ban on their use in schools, except for educational purposes or emergencies. Education Minister Krasimir Valchev anticipates a parliamentary vote on this matter in June.
Spain has implemented restrictions on mobile phone use in schools since the 2020-21 academic year, with recommendations in 2024 advocating for secondary school students to turn off their devices from entering until leaving school and prohibiting mobile phones in pre-school and primary education unless for specific reasons. Most autonomous regions support a complete ban on mobile devices in early education.
France has imposed a ban on smartphones for primary and secondary students since 2018. Italy’s education ministry announced a ban on smartphone use for all students starting last September. Denmark plans to follow suit, while Austria also recently introduced a ban effective May 1, affecting both classroom and recess times.
In Sweden, a proposal for a total ban on mobile phone use in elementary schools (up to age 16) is under consideration, with devices collected at the beginning of the day and returned only when students leave. “Reducing screen time in schools is essential,” stated Minister Lotta Edholm.
In contrast, only select schools in the Czech Republic have prohibited mobile phone use, although public sentiment appears to be trending toward a ban. A survey revealed that 73% of primary school teachers support such restrictions.
Germany’s educational policies vary by federal state, with some advocating for limitations on personal mobile device use in schools, while others leave it to individual schools to decide.
In Belgium, both the Flemish and French Community governments, along with the federal authorities, have yet to establish a detailed strategy regarding smartphone and social media use among the youth. Instead, they focus on media literacy education through workshops and programs.
However, a group of experts recently urged the Belgian governments to adopt clearer and stricter policies on smartphone use among children and adolescents, including a proposed ban on social media until the age of
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