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France bans smartphones in schools

Smartphone Ban - Level 4

France voted to ban digital devices from schools. A new law will prohibit students up to the age of 15 from bringing smartphones to school. The ban is part of a campaign to reduce smartphone addiction. In 2017, France's president promised to ban digital devices in schools. The education minister said the devices were harmful to children's development and a "public health crisis". The law protects children from the "phenomenon of screen addiction".

Students have not been allowed to use their devices in lessons since 2010. Many lawmakers do not believe the new ban is enough. They believe it is just a publicity stunt. Schools must decide themselves whether or not to apply the new law to 15-year-olds. Experts say the increased use of mobile devices causes cyber-addiction, sleep disruption and bullying. Opponents of the ban say it is a backward step. They say it will not increase learning.

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Smartphone Ban - Level 5

France voted to ban digital devices from schools. Lawmakers voted by 62-1 on Monday to prohibit students aged between 3 and 15 from bringing smartphones and tablets to school. The ban is part of a campaign to reduce addiction to technology. This was a campaign promise made by French President Emmanuel Macron. France's minister of education campaigned for the ban saying devices were harmful to children's development. He said they were a public health crisis and that the law protects children from the "phenomenon of screen addiction" and bad mobile phone use.

The new ban follows a law made in 2010 that meant students could not use their devices in lessons. Students with certain disabilities may be allowed to use their phones. Many lawmakers do not believe the ban is enough. They believe it is little more than a publicity stunt. Application of the ban to students aged over 15 will depend on the policy of individual schools. Experts say the increased use of mobile devices causes cyber-addiction, sleep disruption and bullying. Opponents of the ban say it is a backward step and that it will not increase learning.

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Smartphone Ban - Level 6

France has voted to ban smartphones and personal tablets from schools. Lawmakers voted overwhelmingly by 62-1 on Monday to prohibit students aged between 3 and 15 from even bringing their devices to school. The ban is part of a campaign to reduce addiction to electronics. It fulfills a campaign promise made by French President Emmanuel Macron in 2017. French Minister of National Education Jean-Michel Blanquer also campaigned for the ban saying devices were harmful to children's development. He called mobile devices a public health crisis and said the law protects children from the "phenomenon of screen addiction and the phenomenon of bad mobile phone use."

The new ban extends a previous law made in 2010 that meant students could not use their devices in lessons. There are exceptions to the ban for students with disabilities and for using devices in the classroom for extra-curricular activities. Many lawmakers do not believe the ban is enough to bring about change. They believe the ban is little more than a publicity stunt. Application of the ban to students aged 15 and older will depend on the policy of individual schools. Experts have found that the increased use of mobile devices causes cyber-addiction, sleep disruption and bullying. Opponents of the ban say it is a backward step and will not lead to an increase in learning.

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