Norway's Educational Shift: Banning Smartphones in Schools to Revive Children's Reading Culture

Norway is implementing significant educational reforms to address declining literacy rates, reversing a previous policy that provided tablets to schoolchildren. Following a failed experiment with unrestricted tablet distribution that began a decade ago, the Norwegian government has now banned smartphone and tablet use in schools for students under 16. The country, once among Europe's top performers in literacy assessments like PISA and PIRLS, now faces a crisis where approximately 10% of the population struggles with basic reading comprehension. Educational officials report that one in five boys cannot follow movie subtitles, and many young people have limited vocabulary. In response, Norway has launched multiple initiatives including the 'Sammen om lesing' (Together for Reading) program in May 2024 and the 2023 Book Act, which regulates book pricing and provides standardized author contracts. The government supports literature through tax exemptions and purchases 1,500 copies of each qualifying book for national library distribution. Oslo has developed innovative youth engagement programs through its public library system, including ten youth councils that plan activities ranging from music events to rap writing sessions. The city features adult-free libraries like Biblo in the Tøyen district, where children aged 10-15 voluntarily surrender phones at entry. Norwegian children's literature, which enjoys equal status with adult literature, addresses challenging themes including domestic violence, identity, and racism. Notable authors like Øyvind Torseter, Maria Parr, and Maja Lunde will represent Norway as the guest country at the Bologna Children's Book Fair from April 13-16, 2024, with 23 writers and illustrators participating under the theme 'What if.'