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Sweden is set to implement a nationwide mobile phone ban in schools and after-school clubs starting in autumn 2026. This policy will require students aged seven to 16 to surrender their devices until the end of the school day, aiming to enhance focus and create safer learning environments.
The announcement was made by Education and Schools Minister Simona Mohamsson, who described the initiative as part of a significant budget investment in education, marking the largest reform agenda in over three decades. In conjunction with the phone ban, the Swedish government is also proposing updates to the curriculum, grading system, and teacher training.
To support the implementation of this policy, the upcoming budget bill will allocate 95 million kronor (approximately $10.1 million) for 2026 and an additional 100 million kronor (around $10.6 million) for 2027.
Currently, many schools in Sweden already restrict phone use by collecting devices at the start of the day. However, students have often found ways around these rules, such as using fake or broken phones. The new nationwide policy is aimed at standardizing enforcement across all educational institutions in the country.
This move is part of a broader trend across Nordic and European countries tightening regulations on children’s access to technology. Earlier in 2023, Denmark proposed a similar ban on mobile phones in schools and recommended that children under 13 avoid personal smartphones or tablets. Norway has established a minimum age of 15 for social media accounts, citing concerns about the impact of technology on young minds. The Netherlands has also introduced national guidelines encouraging schools to ban smartphones in classrooms, which resulted in positive feedback regarding student concentration and academic performance. France has recently strengthened its ban on mobile phones in middle schools.
Sweden’s decision reflects a growing global awareness of the relationship between technology use, student focus, and overall well-being in educational settings. As details of the implementation are observed, this policy signifies a commitment to creating classrooms that foster concentration and learning, free from the distractions of mobile devices.
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