Editing Openai/696938e8-11e0-800e-9700-cae6d8e723b6 (section)

=== Assistant: Several countries and some regions have decided to stop or heavily restrict the use of electronic smart devices especia… ===
Several countries (and some regions) have decided to stop or heavily restrict the use of electronic smart devices (especially smartphones) in schools — mainly because of concerns about distraction, students’ mental health, social interaction, and learning outcomes. Recent examples include:
# South Korea — National ban in classrooms
South Korea’s National Assembly passed a law banning mobile phones and similar smart devices in school classrooms nationwide, effective March 2026. The government cited concerns about smartphone addiction, distraction from learning, and negative impacts on student well-being. Exceptions are allowed only for special educational needs, assistive use, emergencies, or explicit learning purposes. e.vnexpress.net<ref>{{cite web|title=e.vnexpress.net|url=https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/education/south-korea-becomes-latest-country-to-ban-phones-in-classrooms-4932711.html|publisher=e.vnexpress.net|access-date=2026-01-16}}</ref>
# Belgium — Nationwide ban in schools (2025/26 school year)
Belgium has introduced a ban on mobile phones and other personal electronic devices in primary and secondary schools starting with the 2025–2026 academic year. The decision aims to improve concentration, reduce distractions, and foster better social interaction and learning environments. Anadolu Ajansı<ref>{{cite web|title=Anadolu Ajansı|url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/belgium-to-ban-cellphones-in-schools-starting-with-2025-2026-academic-year/3662778|publisher=Anadolu Ajansı|access-date=2026-01-16}}</ref>
# Chile — Smartphone use outlawed in class
Chile’s legislature approved a law to ban smartphone use during class hours in elementary and middle schools, driven by concerns that devices harm students’ focus, emotional development, and socialization. The Telegraph<ref>{{cite web|title=The Telegraph|url=https://www.thetelegraph.com/news/world/article/chile-becomes-latest-country-to-ban-smartphone-21220799.php|publisher=The Telegraph|access-date=2026-01-16}}</ref>
# Finland and other European countries — Restrictions or partial bans
Finland passed a law restricting smartphone and mobile device use during the school day, allowing use only with teacher permission for educational or health reasons, due to worries about attention problems and well-being. euronews<ref>{{cite web|title=euronews|url=https://fr.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/05/01/la-finlande-veut-restreindre-lutilisation-des-smartphones-a-lecole|publisher=fr.euronews.com|date=2025-05-01|access-date=2026-01-16}}</ref>
Other European countries — including the Netherlands, Italy, Greece, and Latvia — also enforce bans or restrictions on phones in schools for similar reasons. uk.news.yahoo.com<ref>{{cite web|title=uk.news.yahoo.com|url=https://uk.news.yahoo.com/countries-europe-banned-want-restrict-150058013.html|publisher=uk.news.yahoo.com|access-date=2026-01-16}}</ref>
# Various U.S. states (e.g., New Jersey, Texas)
In the United States, states like New Jersey and Texas have passed laws banning or heavily restricting students’ use of cellphones and related devices during the school day to reduce classroom distractions and improve engagement. AP News<ref>{{cite web|title=AP News|url=https://apnews.com/article/1187fe6a505631da323929572d0f302c|publisher=AP News|access-date=2026-01-16}}</ref>
# Afghanistan (Kandahar province)
In Kandahar, the Taliban directed schools and madrasas to ban mobile phones for students and staff to reportedly “stop the destruction of the future generation” (framing digital tools as harmful to children’s development). Wikipedia<ref>{{cite web|title=Wikipedia|url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_phone_use_in_schools|publisher=en.wikipedia.org|access-date=2026-01-16}}</ref>

Main reasons for these decisions:
* Improve academic focus and reduce distraction: Smartphones and smart devices can draw attention away from teaching and learning.
* Protect mental health: High screen time and social media use are linked to anxiety, lower self-esteem, and other wellbeing issues.
* Encourage social interaction: Reducing device use is believed to promote real-world communication among students.
* Minimize classroom disruptions and behavior problems.

Most of these bans still allow exceptions for educational use, emergencies, or assistive technology for students with special needs.