Overview
- Emmanuel Macron asked his government to use an accelerated procedure so a ban can take effect at the start of the next school year, with lawmakers set to debate the bill introduced by MP Laure Miller.
- Macron also pledged to extend France’s existing school phone restrictions to secondary schools, framing the measures as clear rules for families and teachers.
- Australia’s policy is the key reference point, with authorities there reporting 4.7 million child accounts blocked since its under‑16 ban took effect.
- In Austria the issue is sharply contested, as SPÖ figures push for national limits this year, FPÖ denounces a ban as censorship, NEOS argue for an EU solution, and a Krone.at poll found 82% of 14,900 respondents in favor.
- Rights and health experts urge caution, with Germany’s BzKJ warning a blanket ban could clash with UN child‑rights standards, teacher unions flagging enforcement and staffing gaps, and clinicians noting risks to media‑literacy development.