Sweden decides to ban smartphone use in schools

Swedish Minister for Schools Lotta Edholm stated in a press release that mobile phones have negative effects on students' working memory. Edholm argued that the ban is 'an important step to ensure that students receive their education in a calmer environment and to reduce distractions during lessons.'

Judge Björn Hansson, who led the investigation, stated that approximately 80 percent of primary and lower secondary schools in Sweden already voluntarily implement a mobile phone ban. Hansson added that six out of ten school principals support a nationwide ban.

According to a report by The Local Sweden, it was announced that other devices such as smartwatches will not be included in the scope of the ban. It was stated that the decision on this matter will be left to the discretion of each school principal. Officials noted that students may be allowed to keep their phones with them in certain situations.

Hansson, who reported that it has been decided to extend the smartphone ban to cover after-school activities and other times students spend at school, used the following expressions:

'After-school activities have an organizational connection to the school. Therefore, it will be both necessary and beneficial to include these activities within the scope of the ban. Students may need to use their phones in some special circumstances. For example, situations such as a student needing to communicate with their family or taking their medication on time due to a health condition can be evaluated within this scope.'

News Source: 12punto