France extends mobile phone ban to high school students

France has now enforced a complete ban on mobile phone use in schools across all grade levels, extending the prohibition to high school students. President Emmanuel Macron confirmed the new law, emphasizing its importance for safeguarding children.

"The protection of children from excessive screen consumption can no longer be postponed," Macron stated via X, formerly Twitter. This expansion of the mobile phone ban, which already applied to primary and middle schools, was not challenged by the Constitutional Council. This contrasts with a previous, broader law aimed at restricting social media access for individuals under 15, which the council struck down as a "disproportionate interference" with freedom of expression and communication.

Macron had called for a revision of that broader law. However, the extension of the mobile phone ban to high school students was deemed acceptable by the Constitutional Council. The government views this measure as crucial for fostering a better learning environment and reducing distractions associated with constant digital connectivity.

The decision reflects a growing concern among educators and policymakers in France about the impact of smartphones on student concentration, well-being, and social interaction within the school setting. While the broader social media ban faced legal hurdles, the school-specific mobile phone prohibition has been successfully implemented, signaling a firm stance by the French government on managing digital device usage among young people.