Sweden Plans to Enforce Mobile Phone Prohibition Across Schools Nationwide

Sweden is set to introduce a nationwide mobile phone ban in all schools and after-school clubs in an effort to improve security and enhance students’ learning conditions. Starting from autumn 2026, it will be compulsory for all educational institutions to collect mobile phones at the beginning of the school day and retain them until the end of the day. This new rule, applicable to children aged between seven and 16, is part of a broader package of measures announced by the government, including curriculum reforms, changes to the grading system, and improvements in teacher training. The move is part of a “historic budget investment in schools” according to Sweden’s new education and schools minister, Simona Mohamsson. The government plans to allocate 95m kronor (£7.52m) for 2026 and 100m kronor the following year to implement the ban. This decision follows a trend in several European countries, including Denmark, which recently announced a similar ban in schools and after-school clubs. The measure aims to address the distractions caused by mobile phones and enhance the focus of the learning environment.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/sep/16/sweden-nationwide-mobile-phone-ban-schools