Emmanuel Macron approves mobile phone ban for French high schools starting in the 2026-27 school year

The ban covers smartphones and other electronic communication devices, such as smartwatches, during school-related teaching activities both inside and outside the school grounds. Students may bring their phones to school, but they are prohibited from using them unless authorized for specific educational purposes or for students with disabilities. Schools will determine their own internal rules for how phones are kept out of use, such as requiring them to be switched off in bags or using a physical storage system. Students who violate the ban may have their phones confiscated until the end of the day. Education unions and school leaders have noted that the ban may be difficult to implement quickly. Some leaders expressed concern that students might spend more time on their phones after school to make up for lost time. Additionally, some high school students rely on phones for basic information like timetables and homework, and some older students may need their phones for work-related tasks.