Italy Enforces Nationwide Ban on Cellphone Use in High Schools

Italy Enforces Nationwide Ban on Cellphone Use in High Schools
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Italy has officially extended its ban on cellphone use to include high school students starting from the upcoming academic year, Anadolu Agency reported. Education Minister Giuseppe Valditara signed the measure, which broadens a previous regulation that restricted phone use in primary and middle schools.

The new policy emphasizes the growing concerns about the detrimental effects of smartphones on adolescents’ health, academic performance, and well-being. Valditara cited scientific studies and reports from international organizations that highlight the urgency of moderation, stating, “This measure has become urgent. It can no longer be postponed.”

Under the directive, cellphone use in high schools will be permitted only in exceptional cases, such as assisting students with disabilities or specific learning difficulties, or for justified personal needs. Additionally, phones can be used within curricula, particularly in technical education focused on information and communication technologies.

This move aligns with Italy’s broader effort to foster healthier, distraction-free learning environments, following a prior ban on primary and middle schools starting in 2024.