Students huddle together in the corridors, their chatter filling the air during a break between classes at a school in Finland. Since August, mobile phones have been banned in schools, creating a new kind of environment for both students and teachers. The move reflects a growing global debate on the impact of smartphones on education, social interaction, and mental health.

A Phone-Free School Day

At Kungsvagens Skola in Sipoo, northeast of Helsinki, students aged 13 to 15 hand over their phones to teachers every morning. These devices are locked in a storage room until the end of the day.

Principal Maria Tallberg described the adjustment as surprisingly smooth, saying the transition had “exceeded expectations.” While students initially complained, she observed that many now recognize how dependent they had become on their phones. Some students even admitted they had not realized how much time and attention they were giving to their screens.

National Legislation and Global Context

The ban stems from a new Finnish law introduced on August 1, which prohibits phone use during class hours. Though the rule officially applies only to lessons, several schools and municipalities have extended the policy to cover breaks as well.

This move aligns with global concerns about the role of smartphones in classrooms. UNESCO’s 2023 report highlighted the risk of distraction caused by mobile phones, noting their potential to harm learning outcomes. Countries like France, Italy, the Netherlands, and South Korea have also imposed similar restrictions.

Positive Classroom Changes

Teachers at Kungsvagens Skola have already noticed major improvements. Chemistry teacher Annika Railila reported calmer classrooms and fewer distractions. Previously, constant reminders about phone use were necessary, but now students are more focused.

Break times have also transformed. Instead of staring at screens, students interact face-to-face. Railila noted how refreshing it was to see eye contact and real conversations. Some students have turned to board games and other group activities, rediscovering traditional ways of spending time together.

Mixed Reactions from Students

Not all students feel entirely positive about the change. Fifteen-year-old Kie Lindfors admitted the atmosphere is “very different,” but he appreciated spending more time talking and playing games with friends. His classmate, Lotta Knapas, expressed frustration, saying it was “dumb” to take phones away for the entire day.

Meanwhile, 14-year-old Oscar Ingman shared concerns about potential loneliness, noting that while many students are more social, some now sit alone without their phones. The school administration has responded by organizing alternative activities, aiming to prevent isolation and boredom.

Reducing Online Bullying and Distractions

Principal Tallberg also emphasized the decrease in internet bullying. Before the ban, students often recorded videos or took photos during breaks, which sometimes spread quickly online and led to conflicts. With phones locked away, such incidents have become far less common, reducing the investigative burden on teachers and staff.

Addressing Falling Education Standards

Beyond social interaction, the phone ban is also tied to academic performance. Finnish Education Minister Anders Adlercreutz explained that the country’s declining scores in reading and mathematics were a key factor behind the decision.

The latest OECD PISA results from 2022 revealed a drop in Finnish 15-year-olds’ skills across mathematics, reading comprehension, and science. While Finland still outperformed the OECD average, the trend worried policymakers. Removing distractions like smartphones is seen as a step toward reversing this decline.

Balancing Technology and Tradition

Adlercreutz stressed that Finland’s goal is not to reject digital tools entirely. Digital literacy remains vital, but schools also need to provide space for deep concentration and purposeful learning. By encouraging physical books, longer reading tasks, and focused study, Finland hopes to strengthen the habits that smartphones often disrupt.

He highlighted an important point: in a world that moves quickly, schools must also teach “slowness” — the ability to concentrate, sustain attention, and work toward long-term goals.