Ammon News - The French government will press ahead with a ban on mobile phone use in high schools as classes reconvene in September. But opinion varies on the likelihood of its success, with some citing freedom of speech concerns and others around speed of implementation.

France's parliament approved legislation in July to ban both social media access for children under 15 and mobile phone use in high schools. The decision came as part of a push by President Emmanuel Macron to reduce screen time, with medical experts expressing concerns around excess hindering childhood development.

But the country's top court struck down the social media provision earlier this month, citing freedom of expression.

The Constitutional Council did not, however, rule on a separate provision banning mobile phone use in high schools.

Government spokesperson Maud Bregeon said Monday that Macron had "decided to promulgate the law" containing the ban on phones despite the court striking down its flagship provision.

"As a result, the ban on mobile phones in high schools can take effect from the start of the new school year, with a stable, consolidated and statutory legal framework," she said after a cabinet meeting.

High school students regularly use their smartphones to check timetable changes, room assignments and other school information. Some teachers also rely on phones in class for research, exercises and document sharing.

In its guidance, the ministry of education suggests exemptions from the ban for "educational use" or for purposes "necessary for the proper functioning of the school".

France has already banned children from using mobile phones in "collège" – schools attended by children between the ages of 11 and 15 – as well as in primary schools.

High schools were instructed in early July to prepare for the measure's implementation ahead of adoption by parliament later that month and enforcement will require them to amend their internal regulations. But many schools may struggle to implement the measure in full from next month as they have had little time to prepare.


France 24 + AFP