IrelandFrance has implemented a nationwide ban on mobile phones in all levels of schooling, from preschool through secondary education. Education Minister Édouard Geffray emphasized the importance of reducing screen time to protect students' intellectual and cognitive development, citing concerns over declining vocabulary and comprehension skills. Students must store their phones in designated containers during school hours, with exceptions for medical needs and supervised educational use. The law was passed by parliament in July and took effect ahead of the new academic year, despite limited preparation time for schools. President Emmanuel Macron initially sought to extend the ban to prohibit social media use by minors under 15, but this was ruled unconstitutional by France's top court. Macron later visited a school to address students, highlighting the negative impact of excessive screen time on attention spans and social interaction.
Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the phone ban as a necessary intervention to combat an 'intellectual crisis' caused by excessive screen time, using strong language like 'major health, intellectual, cognitive and even civic crisis.' It highlights government action and quotes officials who express alarm over the '
