Five Nations Lead Global Crackdown on Smartphones in Schools
A growing global movement is gaining momentum as five countries—France, China, Italy, Australia, and Brazil—take centre stage in banning smartphones from classrooms to restore focus, discipline, and real-world social interaction in schools.
🇫🇷 France: From Classroom Ban to Full “Digital Break”
France has taken a decisive step further in its long-standing phone restrictions. While mobile phones have been banned in primary and secondary schools since 2018, the government escalated efforts in January 2025 by enforcing a nationwide policy requiring students under the age of 15 to surrender their phones at the start of the school day. This follows a successful 2024 pilot program involving 200 middle schools trialling a stricter “digital break.”
🇨🇳 China: Rule-First Approach with Minimal Exceptions
China, home to the world’s largest education system, implemented a sweeping policy in February 2021. Students at both primary and secondary levels are, by default, barred from bringing mobile phones to school. Exceptions require a formal application and written parental approval—clear evidence of China’s uncompromising approach to minimising digital distractions and promoting student health.
🇮🇹 Italy: The Return of a Stricter Ban
Italy, one of the early adopters of classroom phone restrictions back in 2007, reignited its stance in 2024. The updated policy, effective from the 2024–2025 academic year, extends the ban to all educational institutions. Crucially, it prohibits smartphones even when used for educational purposes, aiming to preserve the sanctity of in-person instruction.
🇦🇺 Australia: State-Led, Nationwide Results
Australia’s ban has rolled out in stages, led by individual states. New South Wales was among the first to act, implementing a ban in public high schools from Term 4 of 2023. By early 2024, all Australian states had adopted similar restrictions in public schools, with many enforcing complete bans during school hours. The nationwide effect has been a marked shift toward digital-free learning environments.
🇧🇷 Brazil: Federal Legislation to Protect Learning
Brazil joined the ranks in January 2025, passing a federal law limiting smartphone use in all schools—public and private. Under the law, students are barred from using phones in classrooms and hallways unless required for educational purposes, health reasons, or accessibility needs. The law is seen as a landmark decision in Latin America’s education reform efforts.
Why It Matters
As concerns over student attention spans, social isolation, and online harassment grow, these nations are taking proactive steps to reset the role of technology in education. Advocates argue that removing smartphones from schools helps restore focus, reduce anxiety, and encourage healthier peer relationships.
While some critics caution against blanket bans, calling instead for digital literacy programs, the trend is clear: the global classroom is undergoing a quiet but powerful transformation.
The message from these five nations?
Books open, screens off.