Finland’s school phone ban may have an unintended consequence on the journey home: more scrolling. Eini Karvonen of the Finnish Road Safety Council (Liikenneturva) told public broadcaster Yle that pupils were using their phones more on school journeys following the restrictions, raising concerns about attention in traffic.
The warning is based on an expert’s observations. Yle’s report provides no figures measuring the increase or establishing that the ban caused it, and does not demonstrate a rise in school-journey accidents.
What Finland’s school phone ban covers
The national restrictions took effect on 1 August 2025 in comprehensive schools, which provide primary and lower-secondary education. Their purpose was to reduce disruption and help pupils concentrate on learning.
According to the Finnish National Agency for Education (Opetushallitus), pupils cannot use phones or other mobile devices during lessons unless permission is given for learning, personal healthcare or use as an assistive device.
Education providers must also set rules for using and storing devices outside lessons. They can restrict phones during breaks and meals, meaning the practical extent of the ban varies between schools.
NordiskPost has previously examined pupils’ and teachers’ differing views of the restrictions in Turku.
Phones reappear when the school day ends
At Kalevankangas and Rantakylä comprehensive schools in Mikkeli, phones are banned during breaks and meals as well as lessons.
Kalevankangas headteacher Janne Syrjäläinen told Yle that pupils quickly take out their phones after school. He had not heard of phone-related dangerous incidents on school journeys, while noting that staff cannot observe those journeys.
Rantakylä headteacher Hanne Lahtinen described a near miss involving a young cyclist looking at a phone. She likewise had not heard of dangerous incidents specifically on school journeys.
Road safety advice extends beyond the school gate
In its guidance for families published in July 2026, the road safety council recommends agreeing when children can check messages: in the schoolyard after lessons or once they reach home, rather than while travelling.
The guidance also suggests agreeing common rules with other parents so that phones stay in pockets when children travel with friends. It advises adults to practise the route with children and identify places where they can safely stop.
The council stresses that these conversations should continue throughout the school year. A route may need to be practised again when a child starts cycling instead of walking, or when the journey takes place in darkness.
