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European school mobile phone and digital restrictions

Updated 15 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

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2026-10-05 10:15 UTC → 2026-10-07 04:54 UTC · added ~~removed~~

European educational authorities are moving toward restricting mobile phone use in schools to improve student concentration and mental wellbeing. In Sweden, a new national law ~~has now been implemented across all primary and preschool levels. Effective as of August, the law~~ requires students to surrender devices at the start of the day to create a “sanctuary from social media algorithms” and reduce classroom unrest. Education Minister Simona Mohamsson stated the policy aims to provide better conditions for students to focus on instruction, though the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions previously noted concerns regarding the “increased administrative workload for teachers.” algorithms.” Other nations are following suit with varying degrees of intensity. In Denmark, the government is pursuing a “total ban” on mobile phones and private screens in both classrooms and schoolyards, proposing to allocate 1 billion Danish kroner toward the initiative. In Greece, a survey of educators shows strong support for banning mobile phones and social media to reduce classroom distractions and improve discipline. Legislative screens, while legislative momentum ~~is also growing~~ grows in ~~Serbia~~ Greece, Serbia, and the Czech Republic. In Catalonia, a digital well-being model has expanded into a plan for minors under 16. In the Netherlands, the government ~~intends~~ has proposed a comprehensive strategy to ~~issue an advisory~~ protect children online, which includes a recommendation to ban ~~smartphone use~~ smartphones in primary and secondary schools throughout the entire school day ~~at primary and secondary schools~~ starting January 1, 2027. This proposal, part of the ~~‘Online Child Rights Strategy Brief’,~~ ‘Strategy Letter on Children’s Rights’, would prohibit phone use during breaks, in halls, and on ~~playgrounds. State Secretary for Digital Economy Willemijn Aerdts cited~~ playgrounds to mitigate risks ~~such as~~ like “addictive algorithms, harmful content, and unwanted contact.” ~~The~~ Dutch ~~government~~ educational reactions are divided. The Algemene Onderwijsbond (AOB) supports the move, citing improved focus in schools with existing rules. However, the VO-raad argues the advice is ~~also advocating for European legislation~~ excessive, maintaining that many schools already manage use effectively and that individual school boards should retain the authority to set their own policies. Additionally, the Dutch government continues to advocate for a European minimum age of 15 for social media ~~at 15 years. In Catalonia, the digital well-being model has expanded into a comprehensive plan for minors under 16.~~ access.

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