Danish boarding school students cut screen time by removing phones

Students at a Danish boarding school report improved social bonds after strict limits on phone use, according to a new survey by Save the Children, DR reports.

At Svendborg Efterskole on the island of Funen, students are required to hand in their phones for the first nine weeks of the term, with no access to devices on school grounds. The policy aims to foster face-to-face interaction, a move supported by both staff and pupils.

“Community thrives when phones are put away,” said headteacher Louise Wilde in an interview with DR. “Students spend more time engaging with each other without the distraction of screens.”

Sixteen-year-old student Charley Düsterdich admitted his average daily screen time last week reached 11 hours and 14 minutes—mostly on Snapchat and TikTok. “It would be better if I cut back,” he said, “but I’m comfortable with how things are now. If it stays like this, I’m fine with it.”

Classmate Filipa Thulstrup logged eight hours and 20 minutes of screen time, describing her phone as a “security mechanism.” While she acknowledged the habit wasn’t ideal, she added: “Sometimes you just need a break, and it’s easy to grab the phone and scroll.”

The school’s approach reflects broader findings from Save the Children’s survey, which highlights how reduced phone access can strengthen social connections among teens.