Mobile phones are too distracting and should not be used at all during the school day, including breaks and leisure time, according to the government and the Sweden Democrats. Now, an investigator will review a law change.
The idea is that all elementary schools should collect students' mobile phones every morning and not return them until the school day is over. "Teachers and principals should also be given legal support to confiscate mobile phones, tablets, smartwatches, and other devices that students refuse to hand over," write Minister of Education Lotta Edholm (L), Minister of Social Affairs Jakob Forssmed (KD), and Members of Parliament Patrick Reslow (SD) and Josefin Malmqvist (M) in a debate article in Expressen.
In the article and in the investigator's directive, several benefits of the mobile ban are highlighted: It benefits students' physical and mental health and reduces the risk of digital harassment.
Already today, mobile phones are collected at eight out of ten elementary schools, according to a report from the National Agency for Education.
The assignment must be reported by March 3, 2025, at the latest.
