Sweden Bans Mobile Phones in Schools
In May 2026, Sweden will implement a ban on mobile phones in schools, a policy reversal in embracing digital classrooms. This decision follows concerns over declining literacy, particularly among younger students. Since 2023, Sweden’s government has advocated for increased reading time and traditional learning methods. Joar Forsell, chair of the Swedish Parliament’s education committee, observed a drop in reading and writing skills, leading to this educational shift.
The move aligns with international trends to reduce screen time in classrooms. Denmark is planning a similar ban, while Finland already imposed restrictions on mobile device use. Other countries, including Spain and South Korea, have enacted measures ranging from banning phones to limiting screen-based homework. The Los Angeles Unified School District, for example, restricts screen usage until second grade and caps daily screen time.
Sweden is home to Spotify and Ericsson, making it highly advanced in digital education. Yet, the mobile phone ban aims to eliminate distractions by building on existing school restrictions. To support this initiative, the government allocated 555 million Swedish kronor ($59 million) for textbooks and teaching guides. The decision follows the 2022 Program for International Student Assessment findings, which reported 24.3% of Swedish ninth graders did not achieve basic reading comprehension, slightly better than the EU average of 26.2%.
“We’re rolling the screens back because we believe that books and more traditional ways of learning are better for kids,” Forsell said.
Research by Magnus Haake from Lund University suggests physical materials engage students’ brains, enhancing learning. Outside school, Swedish public health agencies encourage parents to establish screen-free zones at home to set an example for their children. At Malmö Borgarskola high school in southern Sweden, mobiles are already banned during classes. Students drop their phones in a “Mobile Hotel” during class time, picking them up afterward.
Seventeen-year-old student Melina Sallahi stated, “When you have a phone, there’s always something to look at.” Classmate Vasilije Stjepanovic agreed, saying that apps distract students more than aiding learning. While students receive laptops, they are discouraged from using them during class unless necessary. Deputy Headmaster Patrik Sander noted a shift toward traditional writing to enhance memory.
Starting last summer, Swedish children under two use only nondigital materials like books, and preschoolers are not required to use digital tools. A curriculum prioritizing book-based learning will be introduced in 2028. However, this digital reduction faces opposition. Swedish Edtech Industry warns that 90% of future jobs need digital skills, and lacking them may lead to a skill gap.
Peter Carlsson, CEO of Imvi Labs, argued not all screens hinder learning, citing the benefits of software for children with learning difficulties. Nonetheless, at Malmö Borgarskola, concerns over digital skill loss are minimal. Students extensively use digital devices outside school, alleviating worries about technological proficiency.