Sweden Approves Nationwide Ban on Mobile Phones in Primary Schools

Sweden Approves Nationwide Ban on Mobile Phones in Primary Schools
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Sweden has approved a nationwide ban on the use of mobile phones in all primary schools, the government announced, as part of broader measures aimed at improving discipline and creating a calmer learning environment.

Minister for Education and Integration Simona Mohamsson of the Liberal Party said the ban will take effect from the upcoming autumn term. Under the new rules, students will hand in their mobile phones at the start of the school day and retrieve them at the end, allowing them to focus better on learning and to spend breaks interacting with peers or engaging in activities such as reading and sports.

The ban will also apply to after-school activities, including leisure-time centers for younger children and open youth clubs for older students. Teachers will be allowed to grant limited exemptions when phones are needed for educational purposes or when special circumstances justify their use by certain students.

The government said the necessary legal amendments are scheduled to enter into force on August 1, following a legislative proposal submitted to the Council on Legislation for review ahead of formal adoption.

Although around 80 percent of Swedish primary schools already operate phone-free policies based on local administrative decisions, the government argues that a unified national ban is needed to ensure a calm and equal learning environment across the country.

In parallel, the government has proposed expanding teachers’ powers to address classroom disruptions, including removing disruptive students, barring those who pose safety risks, and imposing short- or long-term suspensions, alongside reforms to speed up and strengthen educational support for students in need.