Sweden to ban mobile phones in schools from 2026

The move follows a trend of restricting smartphones in schools in Europe, with France also tightening its ban in September.

The rule will apply to Swedish children aged 7-16, although most of the country's schools have already started confiscating phones earlier in the day - Photo: MASKOT/ALAMY

According to the Guardian newspaper on September 17, Sweden will apply a ban on cell phones in all schools nationwide, to improve security and learning conditions for students.

The regulation will start from the new school year in autumn 2026, applying to students aged 7-16.

Accordingly, all schools and after-school clubs are required to collect and keep students' phones until the end of the school day.

The regulation is part of an education reform package announced by the government on September 16. In addition to banning phones, it also includes changes to the curriculum, grading system and teacher training.

“What we are announcing today is a historic budget investment in education, and the biggest reform program in more than 30 years,” stressed Simona Mohamsson, Sweden's new Minister of Education and Schools.

According to the draft budget to be presented to Parliament next week, the Swedish government will spend 95 million kronor (about $10.3 million) for the 2026 school year, and 100 million kronor (about $10.8 million) for the following school year to implement the phone ban.

Most schools in Sweden now confiscate phones at the beginning of class, but students still try to get around the rule by handing in fake phones, claiming they forgot to bring them, or that their phones are broken.

“This rule must apply to all classrooms in Sweden. It applies to all students and is not selective,” Ms. Mohamsson asserted.

The move follows a trend of smartphone restrictions in schools across Europe. Earlier this year, Denmark announced plans to ban phones in schools and after-school clubs, after a government committee recommended that children under 13 should not own smartphones or tablets.

Norway last year also set a minimum age of 15 for social media use, accusing tech companies of “acting against the immature brains of young children.” Meanwhile, France has also tightened its ban on phones in secondary schools since September.

In the Netherlands, after national guidelines were issued recommending a ban on phones in classrooms from January 2024, a study found a marked improvement in the learning environment: 75% of secondary schools said students found it easier to concentrate, and 28% reported improved academic performance.

XUAN THAO

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/thuy-dien-cam-dien-thoai-di-dong-trong-truong-hoc-tu-nam-2026-20250917120659213.htm