Sweden Proposes Legislation to Limit Digital Device Use in Schools to Address Health Concerns

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The Swedish government is advancing legislation to restrict the use of digital devices in schools, aiming to address growing concerns about the physical and mental health impacts of excessive screen time among youth. Social Affairs and Public Health Minister Jakob Forssmed is leading this initiative, which proposes that students up to the 9th grade should not have access to smartphones or other digital devices during the entire school day, including breaks.

The government cites the rising prevalence of health issues, such as reduced physical activity and increased mental health challenges, as key reasons for the proposed restrictions. Forssmed and other officials have pointed to a decline in students' physical abilities, including difficulties with basic tasks like cutting with scissors and climbing trees, which they attribute to prolonged screen use. They have raised concerns about the link between screen time and mental health issues.

The Swedish Public Health Agency has issued new guidelines supporting these concerns, recommending no screen time for toddlers under two, one hour per day for children aged two to five, and a maximum of three hours per day for teenagers.

Some Swedish schools have already implemented similar policies. In Malmo, for example, secondary schools have restricted phone access during class hours for several years. Vice-principal Patrik Sander noted that students exhibited signs of dependency on their devices, emphasizing the need to address this issue in the classroom. Sander also highlighted incidents of bullying linked to phone misuse, such as students taking unauthorized photos of classmates and sharing them online.

In a Stockholm suburb, elementary school students have adapted to a system where they deposit their phones in handmade bags at the start of the day and retrieve them at the end. Several students expressed that without these restrictions, they would be tempted to check social media platforms like TikTok and Snapchat during class, which could affect their ability to concentrate.

Despite widespread support for the proposed legislation, there are some concerns about how it will be implemented in specialized programs. For example, students at Sodra Latins Gymnasium, a music school, rely on digital tools to check schedules and assignments. Music student Nils Conning expressed concerns about the reliance on phones for educational purposes but acknowledged the need to limit phone use during free time.

Many teachers and parents have voiced their support for the proposed legislation. Music teacher Linda Toivola, who has children in other schools, expressed hope that the restrictions would help establish healthier habits for students.

The Swedish government plans to continue moving forward with the legislation, which is part of a broader global discussion about the impact of digital devices on children's development and well-being.