In Sweden, many students will soon have a more phone-free school day. On June 3, 2026, Sweden’s parliament approved new school rules. From autumn 2026, students in compulsory schools will give their mobile phones to the school at the start of the day and get them back at the end. The rule also covers after-school care. In upper secondary school, or high school, rules can still be different. (riksdagen.se)

This is a big change for a country that is famous for digital technology. Sweden has long used computers and tablets in education. But in recent years, the government has started to move back toward books, handwriting, and quieter classrooms. AP reports that this change is part of a wider international trend to reduce screens in school. (apnews.com)

Why is Sweden doing this? One reason is learning. The government says phones can distract students and make it harder to study in peace. Another reason is reading. In the 2022 PISA study by the OECD, 24.3% of Swedish ninth-grade students did not reach a basic reading level. Swedish leaders say schools need more focus and more time with real books. (apnews.com)

Some schools in Sweden already do this. At a high school in Malmö, students put their phones in a box during class. One 17-year-old student told AP that when you have a phone, there is always something to look at, so removing it means less distraction. Another student said games and social media are more fun than studying, so learning can be easier without phones nearby. (apnews.com)

The phone ban is also part of a bigger message about children and screens. On June 11, 2026, Sweden’s government shared new public health advice saying children should wait until at least age 13 before getting their own smartphone. Officials said the risks can be greater than the benefits for younger children. (regeringen.se)

For many students, Sweden’s new school day may feel strange at first. But the country hopes that less screen time will mean more reading, better focus, and calmer classrooms. (apnews.com)