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Israel introduces nationwide ban on mobile phones in primary schools
Israel will implement a nationwide ban on mobile phone use in primary schools starting February 2, marking a major shift in its education policy aimed at limiting the growing influence of smartphones on young students.
The Ministry of Education announced that primary school pupils will no longer be allowed to use mobile phones anywhere on school grounds. The decision aligns Israel with an expanding list of countries taking steps to reduce screen exposure among children during school hours.
Education Minister Yoav Kisch highlighted that the policy is supported by broad research showing the negative impact of excessive phone use on children’s concentration, social interactions, and emotional well-being. According to the ministry, the new rules will be accompanied by classroom initiatives and active collaboration with parents to encourage healthier digital habits and limit exposure to inappropriate online content.
Until now, schools were free to set their own rules on mobile phones, resulting in uneven policies across the country. Some municipalities, such as Tel Aviv, had already prohibited smartphones in all schools since the start of the academic year.
Israel’s move follows similar decisions in countries such as France and Australia, which have adopted varying levels of school phone restrictions. UNESCO reported that by the end of 2024, 40% of education systems worldwide had enacted some form of mobile phone ban in schools—a significant increase from the previous year.
