In Taipalsaari, South Karelia, a sixth grader named Veikka Kärki is making headlines for being the only student in his class without a smartphone. Veikka acknowledges that this is unusual in today's world, highlighting a growing trend where children are expected to have their own devices. His parents, Minna Rausku and Kaapo Kärki, made a conscious decision six years ago not to provide their children with smart devices, questioning the necessity of such technology in their children's lives. They reflect on their own upbringing, suggesting they managed fine without smartphones.

The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) and the National Agency for Education recently published new digital recommendations for children, advising against personal smartphones for those under 13 years old. Despite this guideline, schools and extracurricular activities often operate under the assumption that children have access to their own devices. This discrepancy places students like Veikka in a challenging position where their peers and teachers expect them to have technology that they do not possess, potentially affecting their educational experience.

Veikka's situation raises broader questions about the societal pressures surrounding technology use among children. While some parents follow guidelines to protect their children from early exposure to devices, the prevailing culture still leans heavily towards giving children access to smartphones. Veikka's parents continue to advocate for a balanced approach, promoting activities and learning methods that do not rely on digital devices and fostering critical thinking about technology's role in everyday life.