Children Are Losing Reading and Writing Skills: Sweden Will Ban Mobile Phones in Schools
Sweden, considered one of the most digitalized countries in the world, will ban the use of mobile phones in schools starting from the new academic year. The decision was made amid concerns about the decline in reading and writing skills among children and teenagers.
According to the head of the parliamentary education committee, Joar Forsell, the authorities are returning to books and traditional teaching methods, as they have proven to be more effective for knowledge acquisition and student concentration.
Why Sweden is Rejecting Smartphones in Schools
The country's government has been implementing a policy to reduce screen time since 2023. Special attention is given to preschoolers and younger schoolchildren. At the same time, the state is increasing funding for the purchase of textbooks and educational materials for schools.
One of the main reasons was the results of the international PISA study. According to its data, in 2022, 24.3% of Swedish ninth graders did not reach the basic level of reading literacy.
Additionally, Swedish experts believe that handwriting and working with printed materials help better memorize information and contribute to the development of learning skills.
How the Mobile Phone Ban Will Work
In many Swedish schools, restrictions are already in place. For example, during lessons, students hand over their smartphones to special boxes and retrieve them after classes end.
Students interviewed by journalists admit that without phones, it is easier for them to focus on studying, as social networks and mobile apps constantly distract attention.
At the same time, students will still have access to laptops and other digital tools if required by the educational process.
Sweden Returns to Books
Along with the mobile phone ban, the government allocated 555 million Swedish kronor for the purchase of textbooks and teacher manuals.
Also, since last year, children under two years old are recommended to use only non-digital materials, including books. For preschoolers, the use of digital learning tools is no longer mandatory, and a new educational program focusing on book-based learning is planned to be introduced in 2028.
Not Everyone Supports Restrictions on Digital Technologies
Despite support from many educators and parents, some representatives of the IT sector oppose excessive reduction of digital tool use in schools.
They emphasize that most future professions will require digital skills, and certain technologies help children with learning and reading difficulties.
At the same time, Sweden is not the only country reviewing the role of gadgets in education. Similar restrictions are already in place or being prepared for implementation in Finland, Denmark, Spain, and several other countries.
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