French parliament bans smartphones in schools

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French pupils will have to leave their smartphones at home when they start school in September as the French parliament has just approved a ban on the use of smartphones in schools on Monday.

The law imposes ban on the use of smartphones, tablets and other connected devices in all the preschools, primary school as well as middle schools, fulfilling a campaign demand by French President Emmanuel Macron.

Under the new law, students will not be allowed to use connected devices no matter during class or extra-curricular activities. However, exceptions will be made for pedagogic purposes or the special demand for disabled students.

However, secondary schools could decide individually whether to impose the ban partially or totally.

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Previously, a law had been passed in 2010 to ban students from using smartphones during class, and each school could decide individually on how to implement the rule and even make it go further.

Jean-Michel Blanquer, Education Minister of the country, said that the previous law “did not apply across the board and lacked teeth,” while the new law moves France "into the 21st century", reported AFP.

He also said that the full implementation of the law this time "sends a message to French society" as well as countries around the world, reported AFP.

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Nearly 86 percent of French teenagers aged 12 to 17 have their own smartphones, reported AFP.

Defenders of the new law deemed that overuse of smartphones may cause growing distractions in classes and is also likely to expose students to dangerous online content such as violence or pornography, as well as cyberbullying.

However, it was derided by the opposition as “cosmetic” and a "publicity stunt" that would change nothing.

(With inputs from agencies)