Sweden to Ban Mobile Phones in Schools to Focus on Traditional Learning

In Malmö, Sweden, starting in the fall, Sweden plans to implement a ban on mobile phones in schools. This move aligns with a broader international trend prioritizing traditional learning methods over screen-based education. Sweden’s center-right coalition government has been focusing on increasing reading time and reducing screen time since 2023, especially for preschoolers, using books and similar resources.

Lawmaker Joar Forsell, chair of the Swedish parliament’s education committee, noted a decline in reading and writing skills among young students. “We’re rolling the screens back because we believe that books and more traditional ways of learning are better for kids,” Forsell stated. This initiative is part of an international reconsideration of screen usage in classrooms, with numerous schools and parents advocating for reduction.

Other countries such as Denmark are considering similar actions, and Finland has already restricted device use in schools since August of last year. Globally, nations like Spain and South Korea are implementing various measures from phone bans in classrooms to limiting screen-based assignments. In the U.S., the Los Angeles Unified School District plans to restrict screens until second grade and audit educational technology contracts.

Though Sweden is highly digital, with companies like Spotify and Ericsson, the mobile ban aims to minimize distractions by enhancing existing phone restrictions. The Swedish government has allocated 555 million Swedish krona ($59 million) to purchase textbooks and teaching guides in response to declining reading levels among students. In 2022, 24.3% of Swedish ninth graders did not meet basic reading comprehension, slightly better than the EU average of 26.2%.

Magnus Haake, a cognitive science associate professor at Lund University, explained that learning with physical materials engages brain functions, “boosting the whole system.” Sweden’s public health agency has advised parents to emulate screen-free zones at home for consistency.

At Malmö Borgarskola High School, phones are banned during classes. Students deposit their phones in a “Mobile Hotel” and retrieve them post-class. Student Melina Sallahi, 17, noted, “It’s less of a distraction.” Vasilije Stjepanovic, also 17, agreed, adding that removing phones aids learning. While laptops are provided, their classroom use is teacher-directed. Deputy Headmaster Patrik Sander emphasized a return to writing with pencil and paper to improve memory retention.

Since last summer, Swedish children under two years old must use non-digital materials, with no digital tool requirement for preschoolers. A curriculum emphasizing book-based learning is expected in 2028.

This shift does not have universal support. The Swedish Edtech Industry warned that lack of digital skills could impact job prospects and public sector innovation. Peter Carlsson, CEO of Malmö-based Imvi Labs, remarked that some digital tools are crucial for aiding learning difficulties.

However, students at Malmö Borgarskola expressed confidence in their digital skills acquired during leisure time. Sallahi commented, “Everyone uses digital devices during their free time, so I don’t think that’s something that should be taught in school.” Classmate Aslan Özhan Kilicasan echoed, “We learn much more easily when we use books.”