Mobile phones to be banned in French schools
It follows trial in hundreds of schools across the country this year
A recent study found the measure may not be effective on its own
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France is set to bring in a blanket ban on pupils using mobile phones at school, the Education Minister announced.
The ban will come into effect at the start of the 2025 - 2026 school year, and will see pupils hand over their phones at the start of the day – or put them away in special bags. They will be returned when classes are over.
It follows a trial of a smartphone ban in around 200 French schools taking place this year.
In comparison, around 90% of schools in the UK have put measures in place to fully or partially ban smartphones according to a recent survey, although this is not an official requirement from the government but an individual decision for headteachers.
Several US states have also introduced legislation to completely or partially ban smartphones in schools.
May cost schools ‘several thousand euros’
Minister Elisabeth Borne – a previous prime minister under current president Emmanuel Macron – announced the plan when asked by a Senator during a Questions & Answers session with the government.
“I do indeed want the measure to be extended to all secondary schools at the start of the new school year,” said the Minister in response to a question by Republican Senator François Bonhomme about banning phones in schools.
Feedback from the current trial “has been very positive, particularly in terms of improving the school climate,” said Ms Borne.
You can see a video of her responding to the question below.
Schools will have the option on how to implement the ban, such as by putting children’s phones in lockers or requiring pupils to keep them in pochettes (pouches or cases).
“The cost per school may be zero or several thousand euros,” depending on the method used, but “is essential for the well-being and success of our pupils,” Ms Borne added.
“We are in discussions with the departmental councils, since they are the ones who will be funding the lockers or bags in which [pupils] will store their mobile phones,” she said during an interview with Sud radio following the session.
Despite widespread support of the move among politicians, there are questions over whether the ban is useful.
A study by Birmingham University in the UK said it found ‘no proof’ that banning smartphones at schools improved grades or the mental well-being of students.
The policy has to be combined with others such as limiting phone use outside of school settings to be effective, the study concluded.
Read more: Map: When are school holidays for the rest of the year in France?
