Global surge in school phone bans amid rising concerns

More than half of countries worldwide have imposed bans or restrictions on mobile phone use in schools, reflecting growing concerns over declining classroom attention, cyberbullying, and the impact of digital platforms on students, according to a new report by the UNESCO Global Education Monitoring (GEM) team.

The report states that 114 education systems—accounting for 58 per cent globally—now enforce national-level bans. This marks a sharp rise from just 24 per cent in 2023 and 40 per cent in early 2025, highlighting a rapid global policy shift.

Concerns over social media influence have played a key role. Internal research by Facebook found that 32 per cent of teenage girls reported feeling worse about their bodies after using Instagram. The report also flagged TikTok for promoting body image-related content frequently, including material linked to eating disorders.

Countries such as Bolivia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Georgia, the Maldives, and Malta have recently introduced national bans. In France, which implemented one of the earliest school phone bans, lawmakers are now considering stricter regulations through new legislation.

However, not all countries are opting for blanket bans. Nations including Colombia, Estonia, and the Philippines have adopted flexible approaches, requiring schools to frame their own policies while maintaining restrictions.

In the United States, 39 states have introduced regulations or policies limiting phone use in classrooms, even in the absence of a nationwide ban.

The report emphasises that excessive social media exposure, particularly among girls, is linked to worsening emotional well-being, prompting several countries to consider broader restrictions on children’s digital usage.