French schoolchildren will have to leave their smartphones switched off or at home as the new academic year begins in September, after lawmakers voted for a ban on Monday.
The ban on smartphones, tablets and other connected devices, which will apply to pupils up to the age of 14-15, fulfils[sic] a campaign promise by centrist President Emmanuel Macron, while being derided as "cosmetic" by the opposition.
MPs of Macron's centrist LREM party and its allies gave final approval to the bill, while lawmakers on the left and right abstained from the vote, calling the law a "publicity stunt" that would change nothing.
Under the new law, schools may make exceptions for "pedagogical use", extra-curricular activities, or for disabled pupils.
Secondary schools for their part can decide individually whether to impose a partial or total ban on connected devices.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday August 02 2018, @07:32AM
Why? The purpose of [sic] is for people not to send letters to the editors of newspaper complaining. Here people can just follow the hyperlink to the source. Moreover, comments are welcomed here regardless of quality since it lets bored regulars have something to make fun off. So, complain away.