Sweden is putting an end to mobile phones in schools. Specifically, from 2026 a ban on the use of mobile phones will apply in all schools in Sweden, aimed at improving student safety and learning quality. From fall 2026, all schools and after-school clubs will be required to collect students’ mobile phones and return them at the end of the day. The new rule applies to children aged between 7 and 16 years, according to the Guardian.
Although many schools in Sweden already implement mobile phone restrictions, students often find ways to circumvent them, such as giving an old or broken phone or claiming they forgot it. With the new official ban, the government wants to ensure that students will focus on learning without distractions from their mobile phones.
Sweden becomes another country imposing mobile phone bans in schools
Sweden thus joins the list of countries imposing restrictions – even total bans – on mobile phone use in primary and secondary education schools. It’s worth noting that earlier this year, Denmark announced it would ban mobile phones in schools and after-school clubs, following a government committee recommendation that also determined that children under 13 should not have their own smartphone or tablet. Norway has announced a strict minimum age limit of 15 years for social media use, while France has made mobile phone bans in middle schools more stringent.
