High school students from left, Vasilije Stjepanovic, Aslan Ozhan Kilicasan and Melina Sallahi pose with a history text book at Malmo Borgarskola high school in Malmo, Sweden, May 21, 2026.
James Brooks/AP
MALMÖ, Sweden — Once at the forefront of the digital classroom revolution, Sweden is now pivoting towards a more traditional educational approach. Starting this fall, a nationwide ban on mobile phones in schools will take effect, reflecting an international reevaluation of screen use in educational settings.
Since 2023, Sweden’s center-right coalition government has emphasized reading over screens, particularly in preschool, to counteract declining literacy rates. Joar Forsell, chairperson of the Swedish parliament’s education committee, highlighted a worrying trend in literacy: “We’re rolling the screens back because we believe that books and more traditional ways of learning are better for kids,” he said.
This policy shift is part of a broader international movement to reduce screen time in schools. Denmark is preparing a similar ban, while Finland enacted restrictions last August. Other countries, including Spain and South Korea, have also implemented various limitations on screen use in education.
The Los Angeles Unified School District in the U.S. has announced its own measures, including a screen ban until second grade, daily screen time limits per grade, and a comprehensive review of education technology contracts.
Retreat from Technology
Despite Sweden’s reputation for digital innovation, the new mobile phone ban aims to minimize distractions in classrooms. The government has allocated 555 million Swedish krona ($59 million) to purchase textbooks and teachers’ guides, supporting the transition to traditional learning methods.
Concerns over declining reading abilities prompted this shift. The 2022 Program for International Student Assessment revealed that 24.3% of Swedish ninth graders lacked basic reading comprehension, just below the EU average.
Magnus Haake, a cognitive science expert at Lund University, explained that physical learning materials activate motor sensory regions in the brain, enhancing overall cognitive engagement.
Outside the classroom, Sweden’s public health agency is encouraging parents to create “screen-free zones” at home, mirroring school policies.
Classroom Distractions Minimized
At Malmö Borgarskola high school, phones are already prohibited during class, stored in a “Mobile Hotel” until the end of the day. Melina Sallahi, a 17-year-old student, noted the reduced distractions: “When you have a phone, there’s always something to look at. It’s less of a distraction.”
Fellow student Vasilije Stjepanovic echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that removing phones makes learning more effective. Although laptops are provided, Deputy Headmaster Patrik Sander stated their use is now teacher-regulated, emphasizing traditional writing methods for learning retention.
Starting last summer, Swedish preschools have shifted to nondigital learning materials, with a book-focused curriculum planned for 2028.
Debate Over Educational Technology
While many support the reduction of screen time, not everyone agrees. The Swedish Edtech Industry warns of a potential skills gap, noting that 90% of future jobs will require digital proficiency. Peter Carlsson, CEO of Imvi Labs, argues that some digital tools are crucial for students with learning challenges.
Despite these concerns, students at Malmö Borgarskola remain confident in their digital skills. “Everyone uses digital devices during their free time, so I don’t think that’s something that should be taught in school,” Sallahi stated. Classmate Aslan Özhan Kilicasan added, “We learn much more easily when we use books.”
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