France to Ban Mobile Phones in High Schools from September

France's education minister, Édouard Geffray, announced that mobile phones will be prohibited in all high schools (lycées) starting 1 September 2026, provided the supporting law is published before the end of the summer. He said, “Il faut juste que la loi soit publiée dans l’été, ce qui sera a priori très probablement le cas,” and described the measure as “une chose absolument majeure pour nos élèves.”

The ban extends the existing prohibition that already covers preschool through collège since 2018. The proposal also aims to limit access to social‑media platforms for minors under 15, but that element awaits a decision from the European Commission. Implementation details, such as device collection and possible exemptions, will be communicated to school administrators in the coming weeks.

If enacted, the policy seeks to reduce classroom distractions and limit the impact of screen use on students’ concentration and well‑being.