Finland has implemented a nationwide ban on mobile phones during class time, with some schools extending the ban to breaks as well. The new law, which came into force on August 1, aims to improve students’ focus and academic performance. At Kungsvagens Skola, a comprehensive Swedish-speaking school in Sipoo, northeast of Helsinki, teachers collect students’ phones in the morning and lock them in a storage room until the end of the school day.
The ban has led to a significant change in the school environment. According to Principal Maria Tallberg, the transition to a phone-free school has “exceeded expectations”. Classrooms are now calmer, and students are less distracted. Students are also socializing more during breaks, and internet bullying has decreased. Chemistry teacher Annika Railila notes that students are more engaged and interactive in class, and she’s seen an increase in face-to-face interactions among students.
While some students initially grumbled about the ban, many have come to appreciate the benefits. Fifteen-year-old Kie Lindfors describes the school environment as “very different” and enjoys the opportunity to engage in board games and other activities during recess. However, not all students are pleased, with some feeling that the ban is too restrictive. Lotta Knapas, a student, thinks it’s “kind of dumb” that phones are taken away for the whole day, while her classmate Oscar Ingman worries that some students might feel lonely without their phones.
The Finnish government implemented the phone ban in response to declining education scores. According to the OECD’s Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2022 results, Finnish 15-year-olds’ skills in mathematics, reading comprehension, and science have declined, although Finland still ranks above the OECD average. Education Minister Anders Adlercreutz believes that removing distractions from the classroom will help improve academic performance. Other countries, including Taiwan, South Korea, Italy, the Netherlands, and France, have adopted similar restrictions.
