Parents, educators, and lawmakers around the world are putting increasing pressure on schools to curb screen use in classrooms, amid growing concerns about student focus, behavior, and academic outcomes. What began as a push to ban mobile phones has broadened into a wider movement for screen-free schools, in an effort to restrict digital devices in learning environments and draw clearer lines around artificial intelligence in education.
A Wave of Bans Across Europe
A 2023 UNESCO report on global education called for phones to be used in class only when they actively support learning, while a more recent UN analysis found that over 60 countries have now introduced some form of restriction, though experts remain divided on their actual impact. Ben Carter, a professor of statistics at King’s College London, noted that “no one has the answer” as to whether bans are beneficial or harmful, since phones can both support learning when used for tasks like homework and disrupt attention through constant notifications.
Across Europe, approaches vary considerably. France has banned phones in elementary and middle schools since 2018 and extended the measure through a “digital break” pilot program. The Netherlands prohibits non-educational use of smartphones, smartwatches, and tablets in schools with limited exceptions. Italy bans phones in classrooms even for educational purposes in most cases. Hungary introduced a national ban in 2024 amid some controversy. Spain leaves policy to regional authorities. Ireland is developing a national system for safely storing phones at school. Sweden restricts use to educational purposes while also strengthening general screen time guidance for children. Belgium’s French-speaking region is introducing a ban on recreational use starting in the 2025/26 school year.
Greece requires students to keep their phones in their bags during the school day. Latvia and Luxembourg are increasing restrictions for younger grades. Finland is preparing legislation to give schools greater control. Countries including Denmark, Cyprus, Bulgaria, and Portugal are also considering similar measures, reflecting a broader European trend toward balancing the benefits of digital learning against concerns over distraction and student well-being.
A Growing Political Push in the United States
The movement is gaining momentum in the U.S. as well. At least 16 states, spanning both Republican- and Democratic-led governments, have introduced legislation to limit technology use in classrooms. Though the approaches differ, the shared aim is to reduce distractions and reconsider how deeply digital tools should be embedded in everyday learning.
In many cases, policymakers are going beyond personal phones to look at school-issued devices such as laptops and tablets, particularly in early education settings where foundational skills are still being developed.
One notable example is Schools Beyond Screens, which started with fewer than a dozen parents in the Los Angeles Unified School District. According to policy director Kate Brody, the group has since grown to include thousands of parents and educators across the country. It worked with the LA school board to pass a resolution limiting classroom screen time and removing school-issued devices for first graders and younger.
Similar steps have been taken in cities such as New York and Washington, D.C., reflecting a broader shift in urban school systems toward reducing early screen exposure.
Early Results: Changes in Behavior and Attention
Some schools are reporting measurable changes after restricting phone use. At McPherson Middle School in Kansas, principal Inge Esping told Axios that suspension rates dropped by 70% following a phone ban in 2022. Students reportedly began interacting more with peers and teachers, suggesting improved classroom engagement.
Challenges remained, however. While overall discipline improved, Esping noted that behavioral problems did not disappear entirely. School data later showed that Chromebooks were also contributing to distractions, including students gaming during lessons.
In response, the school shifted its approach, storing devices in carts and allowing students access only when teachers determined they were necessary for learning. Rather than imposing blanket restrictions on Chromebooks, educators were encouraged to adopt a “use it when it enhances learning” model.
Esping also observed that students themselves often preferred traditional tools, saying that folders and pencils were lighter and helped them concentrate more effectively.
Teachers’ Unions Push for AI and Screen Guardrails
The debate is also shaping policy for educators. The American Federation of Teachers, the second-largest teachers’ union in the United States, recently published a 10-point proposal calling for stronger safeguards on both screen time and AI use in classrooms. The proposal includes limiting AI use in schools and banning screens for students from kindergarten through second grade unless there is a compelling educational reason, such as supporting students with disabilities. Union leadership has emphasized the importance of balancing innovation with student well-being. President Randi Weingarten described the initiative as an effort to “strike the right balance” between leveraging the benefits of technology and reducing its harms.
The Case for Educational Technology
Not all education specialists support broad restrictions. A 2025 report from the Consortium for School Networking, a nonprofit focused on educational technology, argues that when used properly, digital tools can support differentiated instruction, accessibility, enrichment, and workforce preparation.
Researchers and policy experts also draw a distinction between general consumer technology and classroom-specific educational technology. Beth Holland, speaking at a policy briefing, noted that educational technology is designed to strengthen the relationship among teachers, students, and learning content, rather than simply serving as entertainment or a gateway to social media. From this perspective, the question is not whether screens are inherently good or bad, but how and when they are used.
