These thousands of French students deprived of mobile phones in secondary schools from the start of the school year

At the start of the school year in September, in many establishments, students will have to to deposit their mobile phones in lockers.

According to a report published on May 7 by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), based on data from the 2022 edition of the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA), 58% of French students admit to having already been distracted by the use of digital devices in class and 53% have already been distracted by a classmate who was using his phone or tablet. Conversely, 43% of French students feel nervous or anxious without their phone on them. The authorization of the mobile phone at school is therefore debated.

While it remains a useful means of communication, particularly between students and their parents in the event of an emergency, it can also be a source of distraction for students and also limit their social interactions. Even if they are not allowed to use it on school premises, including in the playground and during outside school activities, the temptation to take a peek is great when éstudents keep it on them. It is also not always easy to catch them in the act and confiscate the device. 

As the start of the school year approaches, this subject was raised by Nicole Belloubet, the resigning Minister of National Education, at a press conference on August 27. She also denounced the harassment linked to the presence of mobile phones at school. She therefore wants to set up a “digital break” 'éécole primaire et au collège, an initiative which follows an expert report on the impact of screens on young people, submitted on April 30 at the request of Emmanuel Macron.

This will begin with an experimental phase. In nearly 200 middle schools, or thousands of students, it will be mandatory from the start of the school year in September for those who come to school with it to deposit their mobile phone in a locker at the entrance to the establishment. The device will only be collected the end of the school day. This test aims to lead to the generalization of the measure by January 2025, according to the minister.

Some details are still missing, particularly on the logistics of recovering the devices each day or on the sanctions in the event of non-compliance with the new rule. The test phase will allow these details to be adjusted. This will also give an insight into the reactions of the students but also of their parents.