Rome, 16 September 2025 — As Italian schools begin the 2025-26 academic year, many pupils in Perugia have expressed agreement with the government’s decision to extend the ban on mobile phone use in class from elementary to middle and high schools.
One student told ANSA simply, “It’s right … you don’t need them for lessons.” A father accompanying his daughter to her first day of high school stated he was “more than in favour,” adding “cell phones are fine during the rest of the day, certainly not in school.”
However, not everyone is won over. The policy has drawn criticism from various quarters — teachers, parents, and some students — who question its practicality, fairness, and implications.
What the new policy mandates
The government, led by Education Minister Giuseppe Valditara, has issued new rules forbidding the use of a mobile phone during lessons across all school types, including middle and high schools. Previously, the ban applied only to younger pupils or non-lesson time. Under the new regulation, even the use of mobile phones for teaching purposes is heavily restricted. Schools are expected to enforce the phones being switched off during lesson hours. Students with specific learning needs may still have certain exceptions.
Arguments in support
Supporters say that banning phones in class will improve student concentration and reduce distractions. Several studies cited internationally suggest that presence of phones, even if unused, can reduce attention and academic performance, because notifications or the temptation to check social media disrupt learning.
Parents supportive of the ban view it as helping restore order and discipline in schools. They argue that lessons are more productive without interruptions, and that phones outside class time are sufficient for communication. Some also believe it will encourage face-to-face social interaction and reduce the psychological pressure associated with constant connectivity.
Criticisms and Challenges
On the other side, critics argue that enforcing such a sweeping ban will be difficult. Some teachers warn that policing phones takes up class time, creates friction between students and staff, and diverts attention away from teaching. They point out that schools may lack the infrastructure – lockers, monitoring, staff – to enforce the rules uniformly.
Parents have voiced concerns about safety and communication. In emergencies, being able to reach children or having them reach their parents is important. Some feel the ban is heavy-handed, limiting student autonomy and perhaps undermining digital literacy: if students never learn how to use devices responsibly, banning may be an overcorrection.
Some students feel it is unfair. For instance, pupils who use a mobile phone responsibly or those who rely on them for study (using educational apps, looking up resources) argue the ban punishes everyone for a few misusers. There is also concern that enforcement will be inconsistent: some schools may strictly enforce the policy while others may not, which could lead to unequal experiences.
The wider context & trade-offs
Italy is not alone in this debate. Across Europe and further afield, many countries have imposed or are considering bans on phone use in classrooms, motivated by similar concerns about distraction, mental health, and academic outcomes. UNESCO has noted the growing trend of policies aiming to limit student access to smart devices during class and school hours.
The trade-offs are real: banning may help reduce distractions and restore classroom control, but risks include hampering some educational uses of technology, increasing administrative burden, and possibly creating resentment or underground resistance among students. How the policy is implemented in practice will determine whether it succeeds or becomes a source of tension.
