As concerns grow over the impact of smartphones on students’ learning and privacy, at least 79 education systems worldwide have implemented bans in schools, with more countries actively debating similar regulations.

According to UNESCO’s Global Education Monitoring (GEM) team, 60 education systems—30% of the global total—had banned smartphones in schools by the end of 2023 through specific laws or policies. By the end of 2024, 19 more joined the list, raising the number to 79 (or 40%).

India has yet to introduce a formal law or policy on smartphone use in educational institutions, though individual schools and states have taken their own measures.

Diverse Approaches to Smartphone Restrictions

Different countries have adopted varied approaches to regulating smartphone use in schools. Some nations have tightened existing bans, while others have reversed them due to specific concerns.

• China’s Zhengzhou city has imposed stricter controls, requiring parental consent if a student needs a phone for educational purposes.
• France introduced a “digital break” in lower secondary schools, expanding on existing restrictions.
• Saudi Arabia, however, reversed its ban after disability groups highlighted the need for phones for medical purposes.

Federal countries have seen mixed responses, with individual regions setting their own rules. For instance:

• In Australia, New South Wales and South Australia have introduced bans.
• In Spain, 14 out of 17 autonomous communities have imposed restrictions.
• In the United States, 20 out of 50 states now regulate smartphone use in schools, with laws ranging from California’s Phone-Free School Act to bans in Florida, Indiana, and Ohio. However, some states allow schools to determine their own policies regarding phone usage during breaks and the consequences for violations.

Beyond Smartphones: The Privacy Concern

While full bans focus on smartphone use, some countries have also restricted specific applications due to data privacy risks.

• Denmark and France have banned Google Workspace in schools.
• Some states in Germany have restricted the use of Microsoft products.

A 2023 study found that only 16% of countries explicitly guarantee data privacy in education by law. Meanwhile, 89% of 163 educational technology products used during the pandemic had the capability to monitor children’s online activity.

Impact on Learning: What Research Says

Educators argue that smartphones can be a major distraction in classrooms. Research cited in the 2023 GEM report highlights:

• A study across 14 countries found that smartphones disrupted learning, even if they were simply present with notifications active.
• Another study revealed that once distracted, students took up to 20 minutes to regain focus.
• Countries like Belgium, Spain, and the UK reported improved learning outcomes after banning smartphones, especially among lower-performing students.

While India has not implemented a nationwide ban, concerns about the impact of smartphones on students’ academic performance, mental health, and digital safety continue to grow. Some schools and states have introduced restrictions, but the debate remains ongoing.

As global education systems navigate the balance between digital learning and distraction-free classrooms, India faces the question: Should it follow the path of bans, or adopt a more flexible, regulated approach?

By Gunjan Sharma, PTI