France tests banning mobile phones in middle schools | DW News

Summary

France is testing a smartphone ban in 180 middle schools as part of a 'digital pause' to limit children's screen time, with a potential nationwide ban by 2025. Other European countries like the Netherlands, Greece, and Belgium are also implementing similar restrictions. While some parents support the ban, others highlight the importance of communication during the school day. Experts suggest that instead of a complete ban, promoting responsible phone use could better prepare students for the digital world. Studies on the impact of phone bans on students' well-being show mixed results.

Takeaways

• 📱 France is testing a mobile phone ban in 180 middle schools as part of a 'digital pause' for students.
• 🏫 If successful, the trial could lead to a nationwide ban on smartphones in French schools by 2025.
• ⏰ The ban requires students to lock away their phones for the entire school day, including during recess.
• 📉 The initiative aims to reduce screen time, as excessive use is believed to hinder children's development.
• 🔒 Other European countries, like the Netherlands, Greece, and Belgium, are implementing similar restrictions on smartphones in schools.
• 👨‍👩‍👦 Some parents are supportive of the ban, citing concerns over lost or stolen phones and agreeing to it if they can still contact their children before and after school.
• 🇬🇧 In the UK, schools also follow a mobile phone ban policy, though individual schools have the flexibility to decide how strictly to enforce it.
• 📚 A developmental psychologist suggests that a complete ban might miss opportunities to teach children responsible phone use, advocating for policies that foster digital resilience.
• 📊 Research in Germany shows mixed results on phone bans' impact on student well-being, with some studies showing benefits and others showing no significant effects.
• 👩‍🏫 The psychologist recommends that schools work with students to create mobile phone policies that encourage responsible use, rather than imposing outright bans.

Q & A

What is the purpose of France's 'digital pause' in middle schools?

The 'digital pause' aims to reduce children's screen time and address concerns that smartphones can hinder their development.

How is the smartphone ban being implemented in French middle schools?

Students in the 180 schools participating in the trial must hand in their smartphones for the entire school day, including during recess.

What concerns do parents have regarding the smartphone ban in French schools?

Some parents are concerned about not being able to reach their children during the school day, but many feel reassured that phones won’t be lost or stolen.

What is Sarah Rose's perspective on completely banning smartphones in schools?

Sarah Rose believes that a complete ban may not be the best solution. Instead, she advocates for teaching children responsible phone use and integrating phones into school life in a controlled way.

How do mobile phone bans vary across schools in the UK?

In the UK, policies vary by school. Some schools require students to leave phones at home, others collect phones during the day, and some simply restrict phone usage during lessons and breaks.

What is the argument for allowing phones in schools according to Sarah Rose's research?

Rose's research suggests that having phones in schools but restricting their use can help children build digital resilience and make mature decisions about when to use technology.

What evidence supports the argument that banning smartphones improves students' well-being?

A study from the University of Alburg in Germany found that banning smartphones increased students' social well-being, as they were more engaged with their surroundings.

Why do some studies show conflicting results regarding the effects of smartphone bans in schools?

Different studies have shown varying impacts on children's well-being and educational attainment, with some finding benefits and others showing little to no effect.

How might smartphone bans affect students’ academic performance?

Research suggests that bans may benefit lower-achieving students by reducing distractions, but high-achieving students may not experience the same academic improvements.

What approach does Sarah Rose recommend regarding mobile phone policies in schools?

Rose recommends involving students and parents in developing mobile phone policies to encourage responsible use, rather than enforcing a complete ban.

Outlines

00:00

📱 France's Mobile Phone Ban Experiment in Schools

France is conducting a test ban on mobile phones in 180 middle schools, part of a 'digital pause' initiative to reduce screen time and improve student development. Students must hand in their phones for the entire school day, including recess. The initiative is driven by concerns over the negative impact of smartphones on children's development. If successful, a nationwide ban may follow in 2025. Other European countries, such as the Netherlands, Greece, and Belgium, are also implementing similar restrictions.

05:00

🤳 Parental Perspectives on France’s Phone Ban

French parents generally support the ban, viewing it as a way to protect their children's phones from theft or loss. As long as parents can still contact their children while they are commuting, they are comfortable with the restrictions. The experiment is seen as a way to help children adapt to life without constant access to smartphones during the school day.

🇬🇧 UK’s Stance on Mobile Phone Restrictions in Schools

In the UK, schools have flexibility in implementing mobile phone policies, with some banning phones entirely and others allowing them but restricting their use during the school day. The UK's guidance encourages phone bans in schools, but it is up to individual institutions to decide how to manage it. Some schools require students to leave their phones at home, while others allow them to be handed in at the start of the day.

🧠 The Missed Opportunity in Banning Phones Completely

Developmental psychologist Sarah Rose discusses how banning phones outright may overlook opportunities for teaching responsible digital behavior. Rose’s research showed that both children and parents were not entirely supportive of full bans. Parents value phones as a way to communicate with their children. She emphasizes that schools should focus on helping students develop digital resilience by learning when and how to use phones appropriately.

🌍 Managing Distractions in a Digital World

Rose argues that teaching children to manage distractions from digital devices is essential, as phones are an integral part of modern life. She believes that policies encouraging responsible phone use during school could better prepare students for real-world challenges. Instead of a full ban, allowing limited access under specific rules might be more beneficial for developing self-regulation and resilience.

📊 Contrasting Studies on Phone Bans and Well-being

Studies on the impact of phone bans on student well-being have shown mixed results. Some research, such as a recent study in Germany, suggests that banning phones can improve students' social well-being, while others show no significant effect or even a negative impact. Similarly, the impact of phone bans on educational attainment varies, with lower-performing students benefiting more from bans compared to high-achieving students.

📈 The Global Shift in Mobile Phone Ban Policies

Some regions, including parts of Canada and New York, have started to reverse their phone bans, suggesting the need for a more nuanced approach. Rose believes that instead of strict bans, schools should engage students in conversations about responsible phone use. This approach could foster a sense of ownership and responsibility, making it easier for teachers to enforce policies and for students to adhere to them.

Keywords

💡Digital Pause

The term 'digital pause' refers to an initiative aimed at reducing the time students spend on their smartphones and other digital devices. In the video, France is implementing this pause in 180 middle schools, requiring students to lock away their phones during the school day. The concept is central to the theme of promoting healthier habits among children by limiting screen time and encouraging more face-to-face interactions.

💡Smartphone Ban

The smartphone ban refers to policies implemented by schools or governments to restrict the use of smartphones during school hours. In the video, France is testing such a ban, which could potentially be implemented nationwide by 2025. The ban aims to address concerns over smartphone addiction and its impact on children's development. The video also discusses similar bans in other countries, such as the Netherlands, Greece, and Belgium.

💡Child Development

Child development refers to the physical, mental, and emotional growth of children. In the video, concerns are raised about how excessive smartphone use may hinder child development, especially in terms of social skills and learning. By limiting phone use, schools aim to create environments that promote healthier development by encouraging in-person interactions and focus during lessons.

💡Mobile Phone Addiction

Mobile phone addiction refers to the compulsive use of smartphones, often leading to negative effects on a person's mental health and social interactions. The video discusses the growing concern that children are becoming too reliant on their phones, which may affect their ability to concentrate and engage with the world around them. The smartphone ban is presented as a way to help curb this addiction.

💡Digital Resilience

Digital resilience is the ability to navigate the online world safely and responsibly while managing the risks and distractions that come with it. In the video, Sarah Rose, a developmental psychologist, argues that rather than banning phones completely, schools should focus on teaching children digital resilience, helping them learn how to use technology wisely and avoid its potential pitfalls.

💡Parental Concerns

Parental concerns refer to the worries parents have about their children's use of smartphones, particularly regarding safety and communication. In the video, parents express support for the smartphone ban in schools, as it reduces the risk of theft and distraction. However, they also value phones for keeping in touch with their children during commutes, highlighting the need for a balanced approach to restrictions.

💡Educational Attainment

Educational attainment refers to the academic performance and success of students. The video mentions conflicting studies on the impact of smartphone bans on educational outcomes. While some studies suggest that bans can benefit lower-achieving students by reducing distractions, others indicate that the overall impact on high-achieving students may be minimal.

💡Well-being

Well-being refers to the overall health and happiness of individuals, particularly in terms of mental and emotional health. The video highlights studies that explore the effects of smartphone bans on students' well-being. Some research suggests that banning phones can improve social well-being by fostering more face-to-face interactions, while other studies show mixed results, with some students feeling negatively affected by restrictions.

💡School Policies

School policies refer to the rules and guidelines set by educational institutions to manage student behavior and create a conducive learning environment. The video contrasts different school policies on smartphone use, ranging from complete bans to more flexible approaches where students can keep their phones but must not use them during inappropriate times. These policies are shaped by concerns over distractions, safety, and the need to promote responsible phone use.

💡Real World Preparation

Real world preparation refers to the process of equipping students with the skills and knowledge they need to navigate adult life outside of school. In the video, Sarah Rose argues that banning smartphones entirely may not prepare students for the real world, where digital technology is ubiquitous. Instead, teaching responsible phone use within school settings could help students manage distractions and make better decisions about technology in their everyday lives.

Highlights

France is testing a mobile phone ban in 180 middle schools as part of a 'digital pause' for school kids.

The phone ban could lead to a nationwide policy in France by 2025 if the trial is successful.

Students must hand in their phones for the entire school day, including during recess.

France's initiative aims to reduce screen time over concerns that it may hinder children's development.

Several European countries, including the Netherlands, Greece, and Belgium, have implemented similar smartphone restrictions in schools.

UK schools have also introduced phone bans, but the implementation varies depending on individual school policies.

Sarah Rose, a senior lecturer in developmental psychology, discusses the UK's flexible approach to mobile phone policies.

Some UK schools allow students to have phones but ensure they are not seen or heard during school hours.

Parents in the UK often support partial restrictions but feel mobile phones are important for communication during commutes.

Sarah Rose advocates for teaching digital resilience and responsible phone use rather than imposing complete bans.

A study from the University of Alburg in Germany found that banning smartphones in schools increases students' social well-being.

However, research on the effects of phone bans on well-being and academic performance has yielded mixed results.

Some studies suggest that phone bans can harm students' well-being, while others show benefits, especially for lower-performing students.

In places like Canada and parts of New York, mobile phone bans have been revoked after being in place for several years.

Sarah Rose recommends engaging students and parents in discussions about responsible mobile phone use instead of enforcing complete bans.

Transcripts

well it's back to school time here in

Europe and France has been testing a

mobile phone ban in hundreds of middle

schools it is part of what is being

called a digital pause for school kids

now several countries in Europe are

debating whether to ban students from

having smartphones while in school if

the trial is deemed a success it could

lead to a Nationwide ban next

year back to school will be different

for tens of thousands of students in

France this fall now they have to hand

in their smartphones before they can

head to

class we're experimenting to see whether

it works the earlier we deal with the

addiction to these phones the

better France is rolling out this

experiment which it calls a digital

pause across 180 middle schools it's

part of a move by Fran's government to

limit the time children spend on screens

over fears it can hinder their

development

M while students were already required

to turn off phones in class now the

devices will have to stay locked away

for the entire duration of the school

day including during

recess gets students used to being

without their phones all day and teaches

them to live differently even during

recess instead of being on their phones

France isn't the only EU country

cracking down on phones in schools the

Netherlands Greece and Belgium have

rolled out similar restrictions on Smart

devices parents here said they were on

board with a

ban as long as I can reach him when he's

on the road to find out where he's at

the Ban's no problem for me it's

reassuring his phone won't get stolen or

lost France's phone ban experiment comes

ahead of a possible plan to enforce it

nationwide from 2025

so who better to discuss this with than

Sarah Rose a senior lecturer in

developmental psychology at

Staffordshire University in the UK hello

so uh this is a conversation across so

many countries just to start things off

how are things done in the UK are there

restrictions on phones in

schools yes there are um so it's a kind

of fast changing um agenda really isn't

it so since February there's been um

guidance in the UK that uh phones should

be not in schools they should be banned

in schools it's still down to individual

schools how they kind of enforce and

develop a policy around Banning mobile

phones so in some schools that might

mean there's no phones on the school

premises and children are expected to

leave phones at home with parents in

other schools that might um mean that

schools are handed in like we were just

hearing about in France

at the beginning of the school day and

not returned until the end of the school

day in other schools that might simply

mean that phones are still with children

but they should be never seen and never

heard um and that would include in break

times between lessons so there is still

some flexibility for schools in terms of

how they choose to ban phones in schools

but that the guidance is around Banning

phones here as well in the UK now now

some of that might be making school

children quite nervous uh to hear that

that's what's going ahead you have

written though that simply Banning

phones that that could be missing out on

an opportunity can you tell me what you

meant by

that absolutely so this is based on uh

research that we did a couple of years

ago when the variability of what schools

did was much greater and we spoke to

children and their parents together um

and we spoke to them about their views

and also their views on different kind

of mobile phone policies that schools

had at that time and we were really

surprised how maturely children spoke

about mobile phone use and we were

really surprised at the strength of

views that parents had that were not

supportive of complete bands in schools

parents instead felt that phones were

really important for keeping in contact

with their child both at the end of the

school day the beginning of the school

day on that journey to from school but

also while they were at school um

there's a a lot of thought around

actually digital resilience and exposing

children to risk and encouraging

children to make mature sensible

decisions and I think that allowing

children to have Mobile phones on them

but uh having school policies and

procedures in schools where we try and

encourage children to not use them phone

when it's not appropriate but to still

have access to their phone could help

prepare them for real the real world and

the fact that digital technology phones

are increasingly there we have to learn

to manage these distractions of course

real world where we're very much always

all on our phones aren't we I do have to

ask you though there there there's a

current study here in Germany uh from

the University of alburg it shows that

banning smartphones in schools actually

increases the social well-being of

students are you surprised to hear that

result I'm not surprised there have been

a number of studies looking at

well-being of children uh in relation to

mobile phone bands and to be honest

they've actually found quite conflicting

results some Studies have found that

actually bands can harm children's

well-being at school that they have

lower well-being in situations where

there are bands other studies like the

one you mentioned uh in alburg um

suggests that actually they can be

beneficial and then there's some studies

in the middle that fine really it isn't

seeming to have a massive impact on

well-being and it's similar when we look

at things like educational attainment as

well it seems that banning mobile phones

can be beneficial um maybe to some

pupils that may be are slightly lower

attaining P peoples that maybe aren't

doing quite so well at school but when

we look overall and we look at high

achieving pupils it doesn't seem to have

the same effects I think it's very easy

to say we will ban phones at school I

think currently um it's it's a popular

um line that governments are choosing to

take but if we look at places such as

Canada uh some areas of New York where

bands have been in place for much longer

there are now some instances of bands

being revoked because actually they're

deciding that that isn't the best route

forwards anymore so just very briefly

I'm afraid we've only just got about

under a minute left but in your view

then you think probably um some

restrictions uh useful but a complete

ban not the way to

go absolutely I think it depends on the

school the setting the age of the

children the maturity of the children

but I think that it could provide a real

opportunity to uh work with children and

parents to engage them in meaningful

conversations about responsible mobile

phone use so rather than a complete ban

thinking about engaging with the pupils

having conversations about what's

appropriate what's not appropriate and

maybe even developing a policy together

which um pupils feel is going to be

beneficial to them by developing it with

pupils it may make it easier for

teachers to enforce well thank you so

much for joining us today with those

insights that is Sarah Rose from

Staffordshire University in the UK we

very much appreciate your

time thank you