French-speaking Belgium plans school cellphone ban

The ban is likely to include high school students, after the new government of Wallonia’s initial plan called for restricting cell phones only for kids up to the age of 15. — AP

BRUSSELS, Belgium: Belgium’s French-speaking region intends to ban mobile phones in schools starting next academic year to protect students from the negative effects of always being online, the region’s leaders said on Oct 2.

The ban is likely to include high school students, after the new government of Wallonia’s initial plan called for restricting cell phones only for kids up to the age of 15.

But "the recommendations of the WHO and Unesco call for banning phones in classes for adolescents over 15 as well", said Education Minister Valerie Glatigny.

The ban will not cover educational uses of smartphones within the classroom, and there will be exceptions, such as for children with medical conditions who need to stay in touch with their families.

But otherwise, from the start of the 2025-2026 school year, phones must remain switched off and put away between entering and leaving the school, including during recess.

"When you receive a notification on your phone, it can take your attention away for up to 20 minutes. Fewer phone calls means more interactions, more friends during playtime and in real life," said Glatigny.

In Belgium, education is run along linguistic lines. In the larger Flemish-speaking part of the country, there has not yet been any question of banning smartphones across the region's schools, even if individual establishments are free to do so. – AFP