Chile bans mobile phones from classrooms in ‘cultural change’

• Chile has officially banned mobile phones and other smart devices from elementary and middle school classrooms, with the measure set to take effect from the 2026 school year.
• Education Minister Nicolás Cataldo hailed the decision as a "cultural change" aimed at improving student socialisation, concentration, and learning.
• The move aligns Chile with other countries, including France, Brazil, and China, which have implemented similar restrictions on smartphone use in schools.
• The ban addresses long-standing concerns from parents and teachers regarding the detrimental effects of smartphones on students' learning and emotional development.
• Studies, including one by the OECD and an analysis in the UK, suggest that digital devices disrupt learning and that phone bans can lead to improved academic performance and pupil wellbeing.

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Another country bans phones in class saying children ‘need to see each other’s faces’