Another country to ban mobile phones in schools as reading levels fall

Sweden will introduce a nationwide ban on mobile phones in schools from the next academic year as part of efforts to improve reading levels and reduce screen time. The country’s center-right coalition government, led by lawmaker Joar Forsell, chairperson of the education committee, cited a decline in reading and writing skills among students, particularly in younger grades. In the 2022 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), 24.3% of Swedish ninth graders did not reach a basic level of reading comprehension, slightly above the EU average of 26.2%. The policy aligns with a broader international shift away from digital devices in classrooms, with neighboring Nordic countries like Denmark and Finland already implementing similar restrictions. Sweden’s move includes allocating 555 million Swedish krona ($59 million) to purchase textbooks and teacher guides, reinforcing traditional learning methods. Many schools in Sweden already enforce phone bans, and some, like Malmö Borgarskola, require students to deposit devices in a designated ‘Mobile Hotel’ during lessons. Experts support the decision, arguing that physical materials engage children’s motor and sensory systems more effectively. Magnus Haake, an associate professor of cognitive science at Lund University, stated that hands-on learning ‘boosts the whole system.’ The government is also advising parents to create screen-free zones at home to reinforce the policy. Sweden’s reversal reflects a global reevaluation of digital integration in education, with countries like Spain, South Korea, and even the Los Angeles Unified School District adopting stricter screen-time limits. Despite Sweden’s reputation for digital innovation, officials argue that excessive screen use distracts from core learning, particularly reading and writing skills.