Controversial mobile phone ban kicks in for Finnish students

HELSINKI, Aug. 7 (Xinhua) -- As the fall semester began this week in Finnish primary and secondary schools, new legislation took effect banning the use of personal mobile phones, laptops, and tablets during lessons.

Under the law approved by Finland's parliament, pupils in the comprehensive school system (grades 1-9) are only allowed to use digital devices with explicit permission from their teacher, for example, to support learning or meet health needs.

Teachers and principals are authorized to confiscate devices if their use disrupts teaching or learning. The reform is being fully implemented nationwide as of August 2025.

Educators have welcomed the move, echoing a recent poll by the Trade Union of Education in Finland (OAJ), which found that 70 percent of teachers believe the increasing presence of digital gadgets has impaired pupils' concentration. Although many schools have already attempted to limit phone use, inconsistent legal interpretations of students' rights have hampered enforcement.

Supporters hope the reform will help reverse Finland's long-term decline in educational performance. Once a global leader in the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA), Finland has seen steadily falling scores over the past two decades, especially in mathematics and reading.

The reform is expected to strengthen classroom discipline, improve learning outcomes, and rekindle interest in reading, Education Minister Anders Adlercreutz said in a statement. He cited research showing that while moderate digital use can support learning, excessive screen time weakens students' ability to focus.

Adlercreutz also emphasized the importance of social interaction. "School is not just a place for acquiring knowledge. It is also where social skills are developed. Constant screen use hampers interaction with others. We want to support meaningful human connections during the school day," he said.

However, critics warn that the law could undermine digital skill development. Sanna Oinas, a researcher at the Center for Educational Assessment (CEA) at the University of Helsinki, told newspaper Uusi Juttu on Wednesday that the reform risks weakening progress toward curriculum goals on digital competence.

She questioned the necessity of the law, citing a previous survey in which 70 percent of pupils said they did not use phones during class without teacher permission. "This new law may be a nuisance to teachers and only increase their workload in supervising compliance," she argued.

A recent survey also showed that most comprehensive school students oppose a full ban on mobile phones, Finnish newspaper Helsingin Sanomat reported Thursday.

However, Adlercreutz stressed that the reform does not remove digital tools from education, and technology will remain part of instruction in line with curriculum requirements. The goal, he said, is to curb disruptive and uncontrolled use that undermines learning.

The legislation only applies only during lessons, and schools remain free to set their own rules for breaks, lunch hours, and schoolyard use. This will lead to significant variation among neighboring schools, and experts noted that the impact of the reform will take time to assess.

While the new rules are seen as a step toward addressing screen addiction among young people, Helsingin Sanomat underlined that schools cannot solve the problem alone: parents also have a critical role to play.

Adlercreutz echoed this view: "This change should remind everyone that setting aside phones can benefit both young people and adults." ■