Sweden, Finland and Other European Nations Scale Back Classroom Technology

Several leading European countries are curbing the use of digital devices in primary schools and reinstating printed learning materials. Sweden’s Ministry of Schools abandoned a mandatory tablet program in 2023 and redirected hundreds of millions of crowns to purchase textbooks. Denmark allocated 540 million crowns to expand access to printed books, distributing 17,500 volumes and targeting a complete ban on mobile phones in schools by 2027. Norway reports that 96 % of primary schools keep smartphones out of classrooms, while Finland has applied similar restrictions since 2024. France and Italy have also introduced strict rules limiting smartphones from early grades.

The policy shift is driven by research linking paper‑and‑pencil learning to better information retention, concentration and deeper comprehension. Officials argue that early‑stage digitalisation may hinder rather than help student outcomes, prompting a reversal toward traditional teaching tools across the six nations.