France government just passed a new bill which bans the use of smartphones in schools. The newly introduced rule prohibits the use of any smart devices such as smartphones, tablets, and other personal devices during class times. However, the law lets the students use the mobile phones between the classes, but not during the class. Also, students can use them for extra-curricular activities and other important things. This new law has an exception for disabled students and all other students have to follow this law immediately.
“We know today that there is a phenomenon of screen addiction, the phenomenon of bad mobile-phone use,” education minister Jean-Michel Blanquer told French news channel BFMTV, according to CNN. “Our main role is to protect children and adolescents. It is a fundamental role of education, and this law allows it.” The official legislative wording states that the students under the age of 15 are strictly not allowed to use the smartphones and other smart devices in the classroom during each session. The Government is aiming to reduce the smartphone addiction of the students and they hope it will improve the efficiency and productivity of the students.
However, this isn’t the first time the French government is making a law to limit the use of smartphones. Years ago, they brought the same law into the function, but later they had to remove that ban from students. Also, the Government has recently introduced another law which limits the employers from making an ‘always connected’ policy for their employees in the country. “Employees physically leave the office, but they do not leave their work. They remain attached by a kind of electronic leash, like a dog,” Benoît Hamon, Socialist member of Parliament and former French education minister, told the BBC.