France has introduced a law banning children from using their mobile phones at school.

The ban covers all primary and middle schools in the country for the entire day, including during breaks, but with exceptions in cases of emergency and for disabled children.

Pupils are requested to shut down their mobiles or put them in a locker and the law allows teachers to confiscate phones until the end of the day if children don’t stick to the rules.

Man use mobile phone, blur image of children in the classroom as background.; Shutterstock ID 624285545; Purchase Order: -
France has issued a ban on the use of mobile phones in primary and middle schools (Picture: Shutterstock)

High schools can voluntarily implement the measure, which also bans children from using personal tablets and smart watches at school.

Education minister Jean-Michel Blanquer hopes the ban will help children focus on lessons, socialise better and cut back on their social media use.

Mr Blanquer called it ‘a law for the 21st century’ and said it would improve discipline among France’s 12 million schoolchildren.

He previously said: ‘Being open to technologies of the future doesn’t mean we have to accept all their uses.’

It is also designed to fight online bullying and prevent thefts and violence in school, he said.

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