Sweden swapped books for computers in 2009. Now, they're spending millions to bring them back

With time, we’re witnessing a growing trend of shorter attention spans among people. Many find it increasingly difficult to focus on a particular subject for long. With smartphones becoming an everyday phenomenon, the struggle to read extensive and bulky text has become real. Similarly, constant exposure to screens can disrupt children’s learning abilities, as per Swedish authorities. The Nordic country is reportedly exploring ways to reintroduce traditional methods of studying into its educational system. This shift comes nearly a decade and a half after Sweden became one of the first nations in the world to adopt modern ed-tech learning methods, inspiring others to follow suit. According to The Universal News Network, the European nation’s government is expected to invest €104 million to provide every student with paper textbooks for each subject by 2025.

The initial move, taken in 2009 to boost tech-savvy education in the country’s schools, did not materialize as policymakers had envisioned. “The integration of digital tools was expected to enhance personalized learning and make education more dynamic,” the outlet quoted Dr. Anna Lindström, an education expert at the Swedish National Institute of Education, as saying. Additionally, experts noted that modern, experiential learning methods led to a significant decline in students’ essential skills, such as reading and writing. This development prompted authorities in Sweden to remodel the education system into a blend of traditional learning and advanced digital tools. Falling back on printed textbooks is part of the larger holistic change introduced by Swedish authorities. Reports suggest that the government-allocated sum of money will also be used to advance assistance in the form of awareness campaigns for schools to revamp their systems.

These claims are supported by a study conducted by the Swedish Research Council for Health, Working Life, and Welfare (Forte), which found that excessive screen time has had a negative effect on students’ mental well-being. The researchers found that modern educational tools are hindering children’s ability to “focus and process complex information.” “The impact of backlit screens on concentration and comprehension was far more significant than we anticipated,” Dr. Lindström told the UNN.

Additionally, the research found that digital devices cause distractions among students, further complicating the problem. This is because the majority of kids use their gadgets, such as computers or tablets, for gaming and other internet-related purposes. Most teachers and parents complain that their kids have increasingly started relying on these devices instead of engaging in classrooms. Among them, a mother named Maria Svensson told the outlet: “I noticed my child getting distracted by games and social media during school hours, which affected their academic performance.” 

The European nation’s latest move is not aimed at completely distancing itself from digital tools, but rather to find the right approach to include both modern and classic learning methods to support children’s needs. “This move is about finding a balance. We’re not abandoning digital tools altogether, but rather ensuring that they complement rather than replace the foundational aspects of learning,” remarked Sweden’s Education Minister, Lena Johansson. The country would continue to view digital support as an excellent way to diversify teaching methods and use them more after careful examination.