Schools "Not Ready" As France Presses Ahead With Phone Ban

The French government is moving forward with a ban on mobile phones in high schools starting this September. While the policy aims to reduce screen time, school principals warn that the short notice makes implementation difficult.
Why it matters
This reflects a growing global trend of governments intervening in student technology use to address concerns over mental health and academic development.
The French government said Monday it would press ahead with a ban on mobile phones in high schools from next month, but trade unions warned that the measure might be hard to implement quickly.In July, France's parliament approved legislation banning both social media access for children under 15 and mobile phone use in high schools.It is part of a push by President Emmanuel Macron for children to spend less time in front of screens, which the government fears is arresting their development.But earlier this month, the country's top court struck down the social media provision, dealing a blow to Macron.However, the Constitutional Council did not rule on the separate provision banning mobile phone use in high schools.On Monday, government spokesperson Maud Bregeon said Macron "has decided to promulgate the law" containing the ban on phones, despite the Constitutional Council striking down its flagship provision."As a result, the ban on mobile…
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