Trending 
Israel is set to prohibit the use of mobile phones by pupils in primary schools from February, the education ministry confirmed on Friday, citing growing concerns about the devices’ harmful impact on children.
The new nationwide policy, which takes effect on February 2, places Israel among an expanding list of countries restricting phone access within school grounds.
“From February 2, a new policy will be implemented in primary schools: children will be prohibited from using mobile phones on school premises,” the ministry said.
Education Minister Yoav Kisch explained that the decision was informed by both Israeli and international research and aimed at promoting a safer and healthier learning environment by reducing the negative influence of excessive phone use on pupils.
The ministry said the rollout would be accompanied by classroom-based educational initiatives and discussions with parents to encourage more balanced digital habits, curb overuse of social media among children and limit exposure to inappropriate online material.
Until now, individual schools were free to set their own rules on phone use. Tel Aviv schools have already banned smartphones since the academic year began in September, following a directive from the city’s municipality.
Several countries, including France and Australia, have imposed similar restrictions.
UNESCO reported that by the end of 2024, around 40 per cent of education systems worldwide had introduced some form of mobile phone ban in schools, up from 30 per cent the previous year.
