One European country will completely ban smartphones in schools

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Apr 11, 2025 - 13:56

Summary: After testing the “digital pause” pilot program for quite some time, France will implement a complete ban on the use of smartphones during school hours for children between 11 and 15 years old. The complete ban will start across middle schools in France starting in September.

Governments around the world are starting to ban the use of smartphones during school hours. France will reportedly require students aged 11 to 15 to keep their smartphones in a locker or pouch at the start of school hours.

France to implement a complete ban on the use of smartphones in middle schools starting this September

Today, The Guardian reported that the French education minister wants to keep children fully away from their smartphones. This would impact students during school hours in all middle schools starting this September. Speaking with the Senate, Élisabeth Borne said, “At a time when the use of screens is being widely questioned because of its many harmful effects, this measure is essential for our children’s wellbeing and success at school.”

When the government banned phones in 2018, students had to switch off their smartphones and keep them in their school bags. They weren’t allowed to use their devices during break, even on the school grounds. As expected, middle schools in France reported that the ban had a positive effect on students. They were more concentrated, socially active, and engaged in physical exercise.

The ban on the use of smartphones in school also reportedly resulted in less bullying. Since students had their phones in their school bags, they could sneak into the washrooms to use them. Now, that’s what seems to have bothered the French official. She had suggested implementing a complete ban on the use of smartphones.

The government has successfully tested the pilot program

The French government has already tested the “digital pause” across 100 middle schools for the past six months. As for the choice between locks and pouches, it would be up to the head teachers. This implementation would cost a few thousand euros.

A report commissioned by the French President, Emmanuel Macron, concluded that children shouldn’t have access to smartphones until the age of 13. The report also proposed to ban access to social media for such kids until they reach 18 years of age.

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