“We Were All Wrong”: Screens Are Indeed Responsible for Lowering Student Performance, Says Swedish Government

In an era where screens have become a staple in both homes and classrooms, it’s easy to believe that digital tools enhance learning. Many of us have seen our children navigate tablets or laptops with ease, accessing videos, quizzes, and research resources. But as Sweden’s government recently pointed out, these screens might be doing more harm than good in schools. Despite their convenience, screens could be the very reason behind a noticeable drop in student performance.

The Rise of Screens in Schools

It’s no secret that technology is becoming an integral part of education. Many schools around the world, including in France, have increasingly adopted screens as teaching tools, complementing traditional textbooks with interactive platforms. Tools like laptops and tablets provide students with a range of possibilities, from watching educational documentaries to engaging in quizzes, or even conducting online research.

For instance, communication between teachers and parents has transformed with platforms like Pronote, which replaced traditional communication notebooks. Grades, schedules, and absence reports are now shared instantly online, making it easier for parents to stay informed.

Yet, despite the clear advantages, the debate continues. There are growing concerns about how much time students spend in front of screens. I recall talking to a teacher friend who mentioned that while tech tools were helpful in the classroom, they noticed that some students struggled to stay focused. It was hard to tell whether a student was working or watching something else entirely, which seems to be a common challenge for many schools embracing digital learning.

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Sweden Takes a Step Back from Screens

Sweden is now leading a movement against the overuse of screens in education. For the past 15 years, Swedish schools have increasingly replaced textbooks with screens, encouraging students to use laptops and tablets for most of their academic tasks. Students write papers, do research, and study all through digital means. This shift, however, has not come without consequences.

Swedish Education Minister Lotta Edholm has voiced concerns that the reliance on screens is contributing to a decline in student performance. While Swedish students still rank fairly well in reading comprehension within the European Union, a general drop in academic standards has been observed. According to Edholm, this drop is linked to a lack of critical thinking and an overreliance on digital tools.

It’s an issue many parents can relate to. In Sweden, one in five children aged 5 to 8 had their own smartphone by 2018. In France, the trend is even more pronounced, with over half of school-aged children owning a phone. It’s no wonder that parents often express difficulty in ensuring their kids are actually working on school tasks rather than getting distracted by games or videos. I’ve personally witnessed my niece, who, at just 10 years old, had a tablet to help with her studies but ended up spending more time on YouTube than on homework.

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A Return to Traditional Learning

In response to this downward trend in academic performance, the Swedish government is pushing to bring back traditional textbooks in schools. The aim is to move away from a screen-centric approach and reintroduce physical books for every subject and student. The government has committed to investing €60 million this year and an additional €44 million annually in 2024 and 2025 to facilitate this shift.

This decision marks a significant change in Sweden’s educational strategy, especially in a world where digital learning has become so prevalent. The question now is: will other countries follow suit? Many educational systems worldwide, particularly in Europe, continue to increase the use of screens in classrooms, despite rising concerns about their impact.

It’s not just about nostalgia for the “good old days” of books, either. Research suggests that reading on screens can be more tiring than on paper and might even disrupt memory retention and comprehension, especially for younger students. There’s something to be said for the tactile experience of turning a page, underlining key points, and physically interacting with learning materials.

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Moving Forward with Balance

Sweden’s move to scale back on screens is a bold one, and it’s likely to reignite debates on how best to integrate technology into education. While screens certainly have a place in modern classrooms, perhaps the lesson here is about balance. As Minister Edholm suggests, the key might lie in combining the old with the new, using textbooks for core learning while leveraging technology to enhance, not replace, traditional methods.

As other countries watch Sweden’s progress, it’s worth considering whether we’ve been too quick to embrace screens without fully understanding their long-term impact on learning. After all, it’s not just about what’s trendy or convenient—it’s about what truly benefits students in the long run.

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