School Phone Ban in Finland Linked to Drop in Bullying and Rise in Social Interaction

Following the regulation that came into effect last year in Finland, granting schools the authority to ban students’ use of smartphones, a remarkable transformation has been observed in middle schools. According to school administrators, students are now more social, more communication-oriented, and more visible. Principals stated that students have begun to reestablish eye contact and greet one another again.

The ban has not only affected communication but has also changed students’ break-time habits. Educators reported that during recess, students are now playing board and card games, knitting, and drawing. A significant decrease in bullying cases has also been observed after the ban. Educators noted that in the past, bullying incidents were largely linked to social media posts and secretly taken photos, but such cases have now markedly declined.

According to officials, the removal of phones has made it easier to notice students who are alone and has enabled them to be integrated more quickly into the student support system. However, some principals also pointed out that the ban can make the situation more visible for students who do not have a circle of friends.