In a significant move aimed at improving student well-being and academic focus, the French government has announced plans to implement a stricter mobile phone ban in middle schools starting this September. The new directive, spearheaded by Education Minister Élisabeth Borne, will require all students aged 11 to 15 to store their mobile phones in lockers or secure pouches at the beginning of the middle school day, with access only allowed once they leave the premises.
While a 2018 law already restricts mobile phone use during school hours, the updated policy goes further by mandating that students be completely separated from their devices throughout the school day. The measure is part of a broader government initiative to curb excessive screen time among children, which has been linked to various issues including declining mental health, reduced social interaction, and increased bullying.
The ministry’s decision follows a six-month pilot program conducted in around 100 schools, which reportedly yielded positive results. According to school officials involved in the trial, students showed improved concentration in class, greater social interaction during breaks, and a noticeable drop in incidents of cyberbullying and distractions related to phone use.
“Removing phones from sight during school hours is not just about limiting distractions; it’s about creating a healthier environment for learning and personal development,” said Minister Borne. She added that the feedback from teachers, parents, and school administrators has been overwhelmingly supportive, reinforcing the need for nationwide implementation.
The logistical aspects of the policy will be left to individual schools, which may choose between lockers or specially designed secure pouches. The government estimates the cost of implementation at a few thousand euros per school, a sum it believes is a worthwhile investment in students’ academic and emotional health.
This move places France among the few countries taking aggressive steps to regulate phone use in educational settings, as debates over screen time and student well-being intensify globally.
