France's high school phone ban takes effect amid debate over social media restrictions
France's constitutional council struck down a law banning social media for under-15s but upheld extending a phone ban to high school students. The decision comes as schools reopen, with parents and teachers debating the impact of screens on education. Meanwhile, US states have forced Meta to settle for $17 billion over teen screen time concerns.
France's constitutional council approved extending the existing phone ban to high school students while rejecting the separate social media restriction for under-15s, creating a split decision that took effect on the first day of the school year. The ruling leaves younger teens without legal protection from social platforms, though the phone ban now applies across all school levels.
The debate unfolds as education increasingly moves into digital spaces, with homework, grading, and instruction conducted online. In the United States, state attorneys general secured a $17 billion settlement from Meta, Instagram and Facebook's parent company, over concerns about teen screen time and addiction, though the company avoided having its CEO testify under oath about these practices.
This ruling could reshape how European schools approach digital devices, potentially influencing other nations considering similar restrictions. Students may face a more focused learning environment, while teachers gain clearer authority to manage classroom distractions. The Meta settlement could pressure tech companies to redesign platforms with stronger teen protections. Parents may find themselves navigating inconsistent rules—banned at school but unrestricted at home—creating new conversations about screen time boundaries across age groups.