No gadgets in schools: France strengthens ban on phones for students aged 11-15 10 April 2025
Kyiv • UNN
France will strengthen the ban on mobile phones in secondary schools. Students will have to hide devices in lockers all day to promote well-being and academic success.
The Minister of Education hopes that children will be completely separated from their phones throughout the school day. UNN reports with reference to The Guardian and FranceІnfo.
Details
"Digital pause" for middle school students in France. The country decided to strengthen the ban on the use of mobile phones in secondary schools, forcing students aged 11 to 15 to hide their devices in a locker or bag at the beginning of the day and take them out only before leaving home. Elisabeth Borne, the French Minister of Education, announced the implementation of such a plan during a speech in the Senate.
The idea of a "digital pause" is to be less flexible and apply zero tolerance and systematically confiscate phones from schoolchildren, as this will "promote the well-being" of students.
At a time when the use of screens is widely questioned due to its many harmful effects, this measure is important for the well-being of our children and their success in school
Reference
In 2018, France banned children from using mobile phones in all secondary schools, known as colleges. Phones must remain turned off in school bags and cannot be used anywhere on school grounds, including during breaks.
Research
A report by scientists and experts commissioned by French President Emmanuel Macron last year concluded that children should not be allowed to use smartphones until the age of 13 and should be banned from accessing mainstream social media such as TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat until the age of 18.
No child should have a phone before the age of 11, the report says, and should only have a phone without internet access until the age of 13.
What students think
High school students whom franceinfo met in Marseille are already used to this and generally support the measure.
It's good not to use your phone at school, because if you spend two or three hours on TikTok a day, you won't be able to focus on your studies
Let us remind you
The Australian Senate approved a law banning children under 16 from using social networks. Companies face fines of up to $32.5 million for violations, and the law will take effect in 12 months.
