Sweden rethinks heavy use of screens in schools amid literacy concerns

Sweden’s government is pushing for a renewed emphasis on physical books, paper and handwriting in classrooms, aiming to reverse a decline in literacy levels.

However, the shift toward more traditional teaching methods has sparked criticism from tech companies, educators and researchers, who warn it could leave students ill-prepared for a digital future and even weigh on the country’s economy.

The move marks a notable shift for a country long regarded as one of Europe’s most digitally advanced societies, with high levels of tech adoption and a thriving start-up ecosystem, as highlighted in a BBC report.

“I now go home from school with new books and papers often,” says Sophie, 18. She notes that one teacher “has started printing all the texts that we use during the lesson,” while digital tools previously used in maths classes have been replaced with textbooks.

New government pushes for paper-based learning

Sweden’s previous Social Democrat-led government had focused on preparing students for a digital future, introducing widespread use of laptops and tablets in schools. By 2015, around 80% of high school students had individual access to a digital device, while tablets became part of pre-school education in 2019.

The current government, formed by a coalition spanning liberal to right-wing populist parties, is now moving in the opposite direction.

“We're trying, actually, to get rid of screens as much as possible,” says Joar Forsell, education spokesperson for the Liberal Party. “With higher ages in school you might use them a little bit more, but with lower ages, or in school, I don't think we should use screens at all.”

The policy shift, encapsulated in the slogan “från skärm till pärm” (“from screen to binder”), is based on the belief that reducing screen use improves concentration and strengthens reading and writing skills.

Following a 2023 consultation with experts and stakeholders, the government has already introduced several changes. Since 2025, pre-schools are no longer required to use digital tools, and tablets are not given to children under two. A ban on mobile phones in schools, including for educational use, is set to take effect later this year.

Schools have also received more than 2.1 billion kronor (approx. $200 million) in funding to invest in textbooks and teaching materials, while a new curriculum emphasising textbook-based learning is expected in 2028.

“Reading real books and writing on real paper, and counting with real numbers on real paper, is much better if you want kids to get the knowledge they need,” Forsell argues.

Shortcomings of Swedish students

Supporters say the shift is backed by growing evidence. “There's been an increased awareness of the disruption that technology is causing in classrooms,” says Dr Sissela Nutley of the Karolinska Institute, who points to research suggesting digital reading can hinder comprehension and excessive screen use may affect brain development.

The government also hopes the changes will help improve Sweden’s performance in the PISA rankings, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's (OECD's) benchmark for core educational subjects. Sweden's previous top scores plummeted in 2012, and experienced another significant dip in maths and reading in 2022 despite a brief recovery in between. 

Although Sweden still ranks slightly above the OECD average, its literacy performance in 2022 lagged behind countries such as the UK, US, Denmark and Finland. Nearly a quarter (24%) of students aged 15 or 16 failed to reach a basic level of reading comprehension.

Andreas Schleicher, the Director for education at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, cautioned against drawing direct "cause and effect" conclusions, but indicated that Sweden’s earlier, more "extreme" embrace of classroom technology compared with other countries likely played a role in the outcome. 

"It just put a lot of devices and technology into classrooms without clear pedagogical intent, without clear goalposts," he argues.

Business sector warns of economic consequences

Despite this, the policy has triggered strong criticism, particularly from the business and technology sectors.

A report by the Swedish Edtech Industry association warns that scaling back digital learning could leave students lacking essential workplace skills. “Everybody needs digital basic skills in order to enter the workforce,” says CEO Jannie Jeppesen.

Critics also argue the shift could undermine Sweden’s position as a leading hub for tech innovation. The country is home to major “unicorn” companies such as Spotify, and experts warn that firms may look elsewhere if the domestic talent pool lacks sufficient digital expertise.

Jeppesen adds that companies like these “will move elsewhere” if they cannot find workers with the right IT competencies.

Concerns have also been raised about the growing importance of artificial intelligence. While the government plans to introduce AI education at the secondary level, some experts argue that younger students should also be exposed to such tools.

Without broader access, children from wealthier backgrounds — whose families can provide additional support — may gain an advantage, widening inequalities. Prof Linnéa Stenliden of Linköping University warns this could create a “digital divide.”

More broadly, critics caution that the government’s approach risks overcorrecting. While acknowledging the downsides of excessive screen use, they argue that abandoning digital tools altogether could leave students less equipped for the demands of a technology-driven world.

By Nazrin Sadigova