France high school phone ban starts with pupil pushback

France's ban on mobile phones in high schools came into force on Tuesday, with President Emmanuel Macron defending the measure as pupils and staff began adapting to the new rules.

Visiting a school in Mende on the first day of the new term, Macron told pupils that phones and social networks were “not good” for them and said smartphones were a distraction from learning.

“Inside the school grounds it's not good to have your phone,” he said. “It's not compatible with paying attention in classes.”

Macron said the problem extended beyond schools. “When I have meetings, for example at the Elysee now, I ask people to hand in their mobile phones,” he said. “Otherwise, even at the Elysee, you have meetings with people and they're all on their phones.”

Pupils at the Mende school had been asked to place their phones in a numbered storage unit on a classroom wall. Some students said they understood the rule, while others called it “infantilising” in a world where mobile phones are common.

France banned children from using mobile phones in primary schools and middle schools in 2018. The new measure extends restrictions to high schools, though teacher unions have warned that it may be hard to implement quickly.

At a school in eastern Paris, head teacher Julie Bouvry told pupils phones would be banned even in corridors and the cafeteria. She said the school had bought about 100 lockable pouches to avoid outright confiscations.

Some pupils raised concerns about emergencies. Akram, 15, said students might need to contact family quickly in situations such as an anxiety attack. Magda, 16, said some pupils would find ways around the rule.

Education Minister Edouard Geffray said exemptions may be granted, particularly for students with disabilities.

Macron has also pushed to bar children from apps such as TikTok, but France's top court struck down the proposed legislation on freedom of expression grounds in August. Macron indicated on Tuesday that he would continue seeking limits on children's screen and social media use.