French-speaking Belgium to Enforce Mobile Phone Ban in Schools
In a significant step to address the growing concerns over hyperconnection among youth, French-speaking Belgium is set to implement a comprehensive ban on mobile phones in schools, including high schools, starting from the next academic year. The decision, announced by the Wallonia-Brussels Federation's executive, aims to mitigate the adverse health effects linked to excessive screen time.
Initially, the proposed legislation targeted a ban on smartphones for students up to 14-15 years old, but following recommendations from the WHO and UNESCO, the scope has expanded to include all students up to the final year of high school, known as 'rhéto'. This means that from the beginning of the 2025 school year, students from kindergarten through high school will be required to keep their phones switched off and stored away during school hours, including recess.
Rationale Behind the Ban
Education Minister Valérie Glatigny emphasized the importance of reducing mobile phone usage in schools, highlighting that notifications can distract students for up to twenty minutes, leading to decreased attention spans. Glatigny stated, "Fewer phones means more interactions, more friends at recess... in real life," underscoring the social benefits of the initiative. Exceptions to the ban will be made for educational purposes and specific cases, such as allowing a sick child to maintain contact with family.
Implications for Belgian Education System
The education system in Belgium is managed by linguistic communities, and while the French-speaking region moves forward with this ban, the Flemish community has not yet considered similar measures. Schools in the Flemish region retain the autonomy to establish their own policies regarding mobile phone usage. The draft decree for the ban will be reviewed by the Council of State before being voted on in the Parliament of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation.
This initiative reflects a growing trend among educational authorities worldwide to limit screen time in schools, aiming to foster a healthier and more interactive learning environment for students.
