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.