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Acting Education Minister Nicole Belloubet announced the trial, emphasizing the goal of giving children a break from digital devices
France is set to trial a new mobile phone ban for students up to the age of 15, aiming to provide a “digital pause” for youngsters and potentially extend the policy nationwide starting January. The initiative will initially be implemented in nearly 200 secondary schools across the country, where students will be required to hand over their phones upon arrival at school.
The recent trial extends beyond the 2018 law that forbade students from using phones in class but permitted them retain their phones. The trial was launched by Acting Education Minister Nicole Belloubet, who emphasized that the intention was to provide kids with a respite from digital devices. A commission appointed by President Emmanuel Macron highlighted concerns over the adverse effects of excessive screen time on children’s health and development. Their 140-page report indicated that digital overexposure could negatively impact sleep, physical activity levels, and even vision, urging phased controls on phone usage. European countries have varied approaches to phone bans in schools. Germany and the Netherlands enforce restrictions, though they are generally less stringent than France's proposed measure. Italy has implemented and revised phone bans over the years, while the UK and Portugal are exploring alternative approaches. In Spain, some regions have adopted bans, but no nationwide policy exists.
If deemed successful, the French trial could lead to a broader implementation of the ban across all schools from January, marking a significant shift in digital policy for young students.
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