France imposes phone ban in high schools and introduces AI classes from 2027

From 1 September 2026 French high schools will prohibit the use of mobile phones, a measure announced by Education Minister Édouard Geffray. The ban, which follows an earlier prohibition in collèges, aims to reduce screen‑time distractions and address concerns over digital addiction among teenagers. It will be enforced with guidelines for school leaders and is part of a wider strategy that also includes a draft law to ban social‑media use for under‑15s pending EU approval.

Separately, the government announced that starting the 2027 school year students in the seconde year will receive one hour per week of instruction on artificial intelligence, integrated into the digital and technology curriculum. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu presented the initiative at the VivaTech conference, stressing the need to teach students how AI models work, their ethical implications, digital sovereignty and critical thinking about misinformation. Both steps reflect France’s broader effort to balance technological innovation with youth protection in education.