This autumn, tens of thousands of students in France are experiencing a unique school return, as they are temporarily without their mobile phones. A pilot program at 180 middle schools, known as 'colleges,' is testing a complete ban on mobile phone use throughout the school day. This 'digital pause' initiative, affecting over 50,000 students, is a precursor to a potential national rollout starting in 2025. Currently, French middle school students are required to turn off their phones; this new trial mandates that they surrender their phones upon arrival. This measure is part of President Emmanuel Macron's broader strategy to reduce screen time, which the government believes is stunting children's development.
Since 2018, the use of mobile phones has been prohibited in French nurseries, elementary, and middle schools. High schools have the discretion to restrict cell phone use in certain areas. Bruno Bobkiewicz, the general secretary of France's leading school principals' union, SNPDEN-Unsa, reports that the 2018 law has been largely successful, with minimal mobile phone use in middle schools. Macron's initiative, announced in January, aims to further regulate screen time for young children, with recommendations to limit phone use for those under 11 and social media access for those under 15. This concern about excessive screen time is not limited to France; it is a growing issue across Europe.
The French education ministry anticipates that a phone-free environment will enhance the 'school climate' and decrease incidents of online harassment and the spread of violent images. Additionally, they believe it will boost academic performance by improving concentration and knowledge acquisition. The trial also seeks to educate students on the responsible use of digital tools. Each school is tasked with implementing practical arrangements, such as locker systems for phone storage during the day, extending the ban to extracurricular activities and school trips.
However, the nationwide enforcement of this ban from January 2025 could be costly, with estimates suggesting it might cost nearly 130 million euros for the 6,980 middle schools in France. Education Minister Nicole Belloubet supports a gradual implementation, considering the financial implications. Despite this, many remain skeptical about the practicality of the ban, with concerns about managing phone storage and the potential for additional staffing needs.
