Over the past few days, I’ve had several honest conversations with fellow parents and friends about how childhood is changing—and how it’s impacting the emotional intelligence in children.
The trailer for Netflix’s Adolescence—a raw docuseries about growing up in a hyper-connected world—sparked even more reflection. As someone who’s worked in marketing at Google, I know firsthand how digital tools are designed to capture our attention. Even without watching the full series – yet, I can already feel its truth.
And I’ve been witnessing it myself:
Babies being spoon-fed while watching cartoons on a phone.
Toddlers repeating phrases from YouTube before they’ve had real conversations.
Children under 10 film selfies at tourist sites, smiling for the camera, but not making eye contact with the people beside them.
These aren’t just isolated moments. They’re quiet warnings that we’re gradually losing the kind of presence and connection that help children develop into emotionally intelligent, grounded human beings.
It’s the difference between FOMO—the Fear of Missing Out, which keeps kids glued to screens in a constant loop of stimulation—and JOMO—the Joy of Missing Out, where they find peace, focus, and the freedom to just be. And emotional intelligence in children thrives in that space of joy, stillness, and connection—not in distraction.
Then I came across this:
“Denmark to ban mobile phones in schools and after-school clubs.”
(Source: The Guardian, Feb 2025)
It’s a bold move—and a hopeful one.
As a mum of a toddler, and someone studying emotional intelligence in children to better support our family and future projects here at happierme.today, this news felt like a much-needed signal that change is possible.
But we don’t need to wait for policy.
The most powerful change begins in our homes, classrooms, and communities.
Here’s why Denmark’s decision is more than a news story—it’s a wake-up call.
1. Emotional Intelligence in Children Begins Where Distraction Ends
Children need time and presence to process emotions, build awareness, and understand themselves. Constant screen exposure interrupts this process. Denmark’s action reminds us to reclaim the space kids need to feel and grow.
2. Social Media Trains Kids to Perform, Not to Feel
With 94% of kids having social media accounts before age 13, the pressure to be “seen” begins too early. Instead of building self-esteem, they’re often curating personas. Real emotional intelligence in children comes from learning who they are—not who they’re supposed to appear to be.
3. Real-Life Connection Builds Real Empathy
Screens compete with the moments that teach empathy: eye contact, shared laughter, conflict resolution. Denmark’s phone-free school model allows for more face-to-face connection—something we can encourage in our own daily routines too.
4. Focus and Self-Regulation Go Hand in Hand
When we remove the constant pull of screens, we give children the gift of attention—and the chance to learn how to pause, reflect, and respond. These are the building blocks of emotional intelligence and long-term well-being.
5. Schools Should Be Spaces for Growth, Not Distraction
Denmark’s education minister said it clearly: schools must not be an extension of the teenage bedroom. Emotional growth flourishes in environments designed for learning and presence—not constant digital noise.
6. Parents and Teachers Can Lead the Change
We don’t need to wait for a national law. We can start now—with a “no phones at the table” policy, screen-free mornings, or mindful bedtime routines. Every moment we reclaim supports emotional intelligence in children.
7. Small Habits Create Lifelong Emotional Awareness
At home, we’ve been practicing a simple ritual with our son, Rafa, since he was about two and a half: a few deep breaths, followed by sharing three things he enjoyed most during the day. This small habit builds reflection, gratitude, and emotional expression—tools that support children of any age (including us adults).
💛 A New Chapter: Leading Gen Alpha with Emotional Intelligence
This article marks the beginning of a new category here on happierme.today—Leading Gen Alpha with Emotional Intelligence—where we’ll explore tools, ideas, and reflections that help today’s leaders, educators, and caregivers connect with Gen Alpha through emotional intelligence, empathy, and mindful presence.
It’s part of the long-term vision behind The 1% Happier Journal: building a more emotionally attuned future by practicing intentional leadership—within ourselves and with the next generation.
🧘♀️ Start Here: Free Download
We’ve created a free downloadable bookmark with 8 simple mindfulness tips to help cultivate presence and connection with your child. These are practices we’ve used personally, and they’re easy to integrate into everyday routines.
👉 Download your mindfulness bookmark here
📣 Help Us Spread the Word
If this article resonated with you, please share it with other parents, caregivers, and educators. The more we talk about these shifts, the more we can support each other—and build a world where our children feel safe, emotionally equipped, and truly seen.
They are our present’s most sincere joy—and our future.
Let’s help them grow well. 🌱
Original article source: The Guardian – Denmark to ban mobile phones in schools and after-school clubs
👍❤️
Thank you for your support, friendship and the countless outdoor meetings and play-times we’re having! <3
Irina, I applaud your strong voice and agree with all of the above! It begins in the home! And children do what they see adults doing! So we need to be mindful of our own screen time as well! Reading a book, playing outside, with a friend…that’s what childhood is all about!
Thank you for your feedback and support, Liv! 🙂 As you say, our kids look at us, searching for guidance and role-models. Yet, the challenge is that, in many situations, our kids are way ahead when it comes about the screen use. They’re growing up with it and it’s part of their reality. So we need to find those screen-free zones, where we give space for the real connections and emotional growth from both sides, like in the examples you give: reading a book, playing outside, cooking together. What I’m working on is to understand what type of digital activities support which part of the emotional growth, so that we keep them going with the industrial evolution and provide them the safety space needed.
What do you think, can we find this balance-how and is it necessary for both parents and our kids?