The art of texting under your desk without looking at your phone took so long to perfect.
And now it’s been outlawed. In France, at least.
The law was passed on Monday and includes a ban on mobile phones in schools. It includes other internet-connected devices like iPads and other tablets.
The ban only extends to children aged three to fifteen. For teenagers above this age, it is up to their school whether or not the ban will be put into use.
The law passed by 62 votes to one and will come into effect this September. It was supported by President Macron’s La République en Marche! party and complies with one of the president’s campaign promises.
Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer spoke to the French news channel BFMTV:
“We know today that there is a phenomenon of screen addiction, the phenomenon of bad mobile phone use… Our main role is to protect children and adolescents. It is a fundamental role of education and this law allows it.”
This ban has come in as part of Macron’s campaign to allow children to disconnect from the pressures of technology and social media that come with today’s digital age.
Even though we know our teenage-selves would be outraged, we can’t say that we’re against it.
Politicians estimate that about 90 percent of children from the age of 12 to 17 own mobile phones in France.
France passed a law in 2010 that stopped children using their phones in the classroom while a class was being taught. This new law includes the whole of the school grounds and lasts for the entirety of the school day.
