France to Enforce Stricter Middle School Phone Ban Starting September 2025
France is tightening its stance on mobile phones in middle schools: beginning September 2025, students aged 11 to 15 will be required to lock away their phones for the entire school day, according to The Guardian. Devices must be stored in lockers or locked pouches as part of the expanded “digital pause” initiative.
The decision follows a six-month trial in 100 schools that showed clear benefits, better focus, more face-to-face interaction, a calmer school environment, and a drop in bullying.
Education Minister Élisabeth Borne said the new rules are crucial to protect students’ well-being and learning, amid growing concerns about screen time. Though France has banned in-school phone use since 2018, this policy deepens the separation between students and their screens.
While teachers and parents largely back the change, some unions worry about implementation costs. Borne reassured that schools can opt for low-cost solutions like basic lockers or secure pouches.
This shift mirrors broader European concerns. Macron’s 2024 report urged no smartphones before age 13, and England is also seeing a wave of school phone bans (over 90% already restrict use).
