The Ministry of National Education has recently made official a measure awaited by many actors in the education system: the strict prohibition of the use of mobile phones in the school environment. This decision, explained in a press release, aims to reaffirm the role of the school as a protected space dedicated to knowledge, citizenship and the full development of young people. According to the Ministry, the use of mobile phones in the classroom is a major source of distraction which not only harms students’ concentration, but also exposes them to health and social risks. Excessive and prolonged use can lead to adverse health consequences, such as sleep disturbance, and promote social isolation by reducing direct interactions between peers. In order to ensure the effectiveness of this new rule, each establishment will have to define its own application procedures. Telephones should be stored in secure spaces at the entrance to the classroom, or kept switched off, according to the internal rules of each establishment. This flexible approach will allow schools to adapt while respecting the spirit of the law. Reactions and perspectives: A debate between concentration, socialization and security.
Prohibition of mobile phones at school: a measure to promote learning and the well-being of pupils
