France is leading the pack as president Emmanuel Macron has followed through with his 2015 promise to ban smart phones and devices from schools. In a stunning 62-1 vote by French lawmakers that occurred earlier this week, when school resumes in September, kids aged 3-15 will not be allowed to bring their smart devices with them.
We’ve looked at a lot of the pros and cons of smart devices and how much they have invaded our lives for better or for worse. A lot of people cite the handiness of having a smart phone on them for instantaneous access to a wealth of information, a calculator, and so much more.
In France, each schools containing ages 15 and up will decide whether or not they want to enforce the ban; however, will the law really change much? Most teachers already do not allow phones in their classroom around the world. Ultimately, France seems to be the first country that is taking this “epidemic” to a national level. The movement was spurred after a 2015 study showed an increase in test results when students were banned from having their smart phone in school.
Is restricting technology from children a good thing for contemporary society? We live in a world where electronics grow at such a fast rate, we must adapt future generations to the new technology. Preparing students by incorporating smart devices into education could have more benefits than it does detriments, as we have already seen the prominence of online classes and integrated, technological learning.
This ban will not affect students with disabilities or the use of phones during extra-curricular activities, but besides those exceptions, students will have to keep the device strictly switched off or at home entirely.
