According to Engadget, this is considered the next strong step after the regulation since 2018, which has required students to turn off their phones during class.
French Minister of Education, Ms. Elisabeth Borne - former Prime Minister of this country - said that the new regulation will be applied to secondary schools from September this year.
She emphasized: "In the context of the use of screens being questioned due to negative impacts, this measure is necessary to ensure children's mental health and academic success".
Before this decision, France had launched a pilot program at 180 secondary schools with more than 50,000 students participating. Within 6 months, students have "digital disconnection" by leaving their phones in a lockers or sealed bags, which can only be opened at the end of the school day.
According to Ms. Borne, this pilot program has brought positive results, significantly improving the school atmosphere. Schools are allowed to choose to use their own cabinets or bags, with costs ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand euros, about 3,000 euros equivalent to 3,331 USD.
The new decision comes from a 2024 report authorized by President Emmanuel Macron, which outlined a series of important recommendations. The report proposes to ban children under 13 from using smartphones and not allowing them to access normal social networks before the age of 18.
The drafting team, which includes a neurologist and an addict, also recommended minimizing the time children spend on screens, depending on their age.
France's increased use of phones in schools comes as several other countries are considering similar measures. The UK government has issued guidelines to schools on banning phones in the educational environment. Governors in New York and California also spoke in support of limiting the use of phones in schools.
