French Lawmakers Have Voted To Ban Smartphones At School

France is banning smartphones in school just as US is increasing its use in the same setting. The lawmakers have banned the smartphones in school and the law would be put in action by the start of academic year in September. This will affect kids up to the age of 14 or 15. French primary and middle schools have already banned smartphones in classrooms since the start of the decade but they were allowed in other areas apart from class. Now, they are completely banned from school premises. Secondary schools can use the phone for some activities or for disabled students. There were logistical issues with earlier scheme of keeping phones in secure boxes.

These laws are common in Europe and there is often a share of teachers and students supporting them. Around one-third of British school don't allow smartphones in classroom and most of the schools in Sweden follow similar rules. There are also countries like Italy that have actually lifted the ban on smartphones in classrooms a couple years ago. They encouraged the use of smartphones as learning aids for students.

The bans are also becoming quite unpopular in the US. A survey in the country found that over 90% of public schools were imposing these prohibitions in 2009-10 but only 66% were following the trend in 2015-16. This could also be a result of school shootings that has made parents wanting to be able to contact their kids at all times.

By: Neha Maheshwari

Content: http://fortune.com/2018/08/01/france-smartphone-school-ban/