France to enforce mobile phone ban in high schools for September term

Cabinet announcement on school phone restrictions

French government spokesperson Maud Bregeon announced on Monday, 24 August 2026, that a nationwide ban on mobile phones in high schools could take effect from the start of the new school year. Bregeon addressed reporters in Paris at the conclusion of the first Council of Ministers meeting of the post-summer session. The announcement clarified the government's implementation plan ahead of the return to classrooms in September 2026. Under the approved framework, the prohibition on mobile telephones will apply across French lycees to protect students during the school day. Bregeon stated that the practical enforcement of the measure could become effective as early as next week as academic institutions reopen their doors for the new term.

Legislative adoption and Constitutional Council review

The mobile device restriction was embedded in a broader statutory bill focused on the protection of minors under 15 years of age and the risks linked to social networks. Lawmakers originally adopted the legislation on 21 July 2026 before the text was referred to the Constitutional Council for judicial examination. In its ruling, the Constitutional Council partially censured the statute by invalidating its flagship provision. That struck-down clause would have prohibited access to social media platforms for all children under the age of 15. Although the constitutional judges removed the social network prohibition, they validated several other measures in the legislation, specifically upholding the article banning mobile phones in high schools.

Executive promulgation by Emmanuel Macron

Following the Constitutional Council's partial censure, French President Emmanuel Macron decided to formally promulgate the law without the invalidated articles. Bregeon confirmed on Monday that the head of state chose this path to ensure that the tools validated by constitutional judges could be applied immediately to protect minors. Rather than delaying the entire statutory package or reopening parliamentary debates, the presidency moved forward with the approved articles. The decision allows the executive branch to enact the school-focused protections for underage students while setting aside the provisions that failed constitutional scrutiny. Bregeon emphasized that the government prioritized implementing all legally sound measures before the start of the school year.

Implementation timeline for the September term

With the presidential promulgation authorized, the ban on mobile phones inside lycees is set to take effect for the September 2026 academic return. The government confirmed that the high school restriction faced no further legal obstacles following its clearance by the Constitutional Council. Secondary education facilities across France will now prepare to apply the prohibition on mobile devices on campus grounds. The policy represents the main operational element of the July child protection law to be enacted ahead of the academic term. Educational authorities are preparing to integrate the device rules into institutional guidelines starting from the first week of September.