Mobile phone use in schools has generally decreased and in some school areas it decreased even significantly following the ban on use of mobile phone at Finnish schools, according to a study conducted by Finnish telecommunications company DNA.
The new legislation took effect in August banning the use of personal mobile phones, laptops, and tablets during lessons at Finnish primary and secondary schools.
Under the law, pupils in the comprehensive school system (grades 1-9) are only allowed to use digital devices with explicit permission from their teacher, for example, to support learning or meet health needs.
DNA compared the amount of data transferred in its mobile network near schools between April–May and August–September 2025.
The comparison covered areas around several dozen schools across Finland. It shows that the amount of transferred data typically decreased by 10–20 percent, but in some areas by as much as 50–70 percent due to the mobile phone ban.
“For example, in the area of Saunalahti School in Espoo, the amount of mobile data transferred this autumn has dropped to just one-third of the amount transferred last spring. Similarly, near the Olarinniityntie property of Olari School in Espoo, the amount has halved. Saunalahti School serves grades 1–9, while Olarinniityntie serves grades 5–9, meaning the latter has slightly older students. This may explain the differences,” said Jarkko Laari, Vice-President, Networks of DNA.
Although mobile data usage has dropped significantly in many school areas, the differences between schools are substantial. In many areas, the decrease between last spring and this autumn is only 0–20 percent. In addition to student age distribution, the variation may be explained by how schools restricted phone use already last spring or how broadly the ban has been implemented this autumn.
“Some schools already had extensive restrictions in place, so the impact of the law changes this autumn has been minimal. On the other hand, some schools have banned phones entirely during breaks and lunch periods since August, while others still allow them outside of lessons. It’s worth noting that in nearly every school area examined, average mobile data consumption has not increased since last spring, even though data usage is generally trending upward across Finland. In DNA subscriptions, monthly mobile data usage per connection has increased from 5.9 GB to nearly 59 GB over the past 10 years,” Laari said.
During the review period, the total decrease in mobile data ranged from 0–20 percent in, for example, areas of Vesala School and Maunula School in Helsinki, Aurinkokivi School in Vantaa, Kaarila School in Tampere, Luostarivuori School in Turku, Minna Canth School in Kuopio, Merenkurkku School in Vaasa, Napapiiri School in Rovaniemi, and Kalevankangas School in Mikkeli.
Significant drops of 20–70 percent were observed in, for example, areas of Saunalahti and Olari Schools (Olarinniityntie property) in Espoo, Länsimäki School in Vantaa, Salpausselkä, Kivimaa and Kärpänen Schools in Lahti, Hämeenlinna Lyceum School, Seinäjoki Lyceum, Pataluoto School in Joensuu, Laanila School in Oulu, and Kajaani Lyceum.
DNA conducted the comparison by first selecting technically suitable schools across Finland. Technical suitability required a sufficiently large school and a clearly dedicated base station serving that school.
The comparison included base stations serving schools that met the criteria in Finland’s 20 largest municipalities: Helsinki, Espoo, Tampere, Vantaa, Oulu, Turku, Jyväskylä, Kuopio, Lahti, Pori, Joensuu, Kouvola, Lappeenranta, Vaasa, Hämeenlinna, Seinäjoki, Rovaniemi, Porvoo, Mikkeli, and Salo.
- Data
- Use
- Drops
- Mobile phone
- Ban
- School
Source: www.dailyfinland.fi
