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France Moves To Ban Students From Using Cellphones In Schools

The country's education minister says the strict rules are a matter of public health. But some teachers and parents call it a losing battle.
High school students use smartphones and laptops at a vocational school in Bischwiller, France, in September. The country's educational minister said he will tighten the ban on phones for elementary and secondary school students, except for educational purposes and emergencies.

France's education chief says that when students go back to school next fall, all mobile phone use will be banned in schools for students roughly ages 15 and under.

"These days the children don't play at break time anymore, they are just all in front of their smartphones and from an educational point of view that's a problem," Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer said, to

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